Business
Stakeholders Commend NCDMB’s Investment in Base Oil Plant
Key stakeholders of the oil and gas industry have commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) for catalyzing the development of critical oil and gas facilities, including Bunorr Integrated Energy Limited which would produce lube oil and other lubricants in-country.
The stakeholders gave their commendations when they toured the base oil manufacturing plant located near Omagwa, Rivers State. The project is one of the Board’s flagship projects and is expected to be commissioned later in the year the visit was in continuation of stakeholders’ tour of the Board’s projects, partnerships, and initiatives in the Niger Delta region.
Welcoming participants to the facility, the General Manager, Corporate Communication and Zonal Coordination, NCDMB, Dr. Ginah O. Ginah explained that the tour of the Board’s projects was conceived to enable critical stakeholders of the oil and gas industry to see the Board’s projects for themselves so they can fully appreciate the achievements and the huge impact on the nation’s economy.
He noted that the Board had continually promoted its projects and programmes using various media platforms and created necessary awareness over the years, however, there were huge benefits in bringing stakeholders to see the projects in real life and understand their benefits on the local economy as well as the role of communities and other stakeholders to the sustainable operations of the assets.
He hinted that the Board’s focused implementation of the Nigerian Content Act had ensured the increase of Nigerian Content performance from 5 percent in 2010 to its current level of 42 percent.
He also indicated that the Board had introduced a Community Content Guideline (CCG) and one of the objectives of the policy is to establish critical infrastructure in communities to attract development. According to him, Bunorr Integrated Energy Limited fits perfectly into that objective of the CCG, as the facility has had positive effects on Omagwa and neighbouring communities by providing employment, entrepreneurial skills and jobs for the locals and creating a friendly environment for more oil and gas industry activities to thrive while engendering sustainable peace in the region.
In his remarks, the founder and chairman of the base oil plant, Dr Mason Oghenejobo indicated that the oil and gas green energy company will be fully operational by the second quarter of the year, with a plan to blend waste oil to get other derivatives of other lubricants. While fielding questions from stakeholders, he stated that NCDMB owns 45 percent equity in the plant while its original founders have a 55 percent stake. He said the Board was attracted to invest in the project because of the immense benefits of converting used oil to lubricants, which saves enormous capital flight, creates employment and contributes to societal development.
He lauded the Board for modelling a structure, governance process and control that has improved the company and set it up on a growth path. He also praised the Omagwa community for their peaceful disposition which has culminated in the benefits the community has derived from the firm, including employment, procurement and several other contracts. He envisioned the company’s growth from 200,000 litres per day plant into an integrated plant of other derivatives of base oil for expansion into the African market for energy self-sufficiency.
In his comments, the Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim who spoke through his Permanent Secretary, Barr. (Mrs.) Ibiware Clapton-Ogolo expressed satisfaction with the Board’s commitment to supervise and monitor the project to completion. He stated that “everyone witnessing this project will be impressed that some government officials do their jobs creditably, contrary to the widespread belief that government agencies are lethargic to their duties. This is a clear demonstration that there are people in government who are responsible and accountable.”
Also speaking, the President of the Port Harcourt Club – 1928, Mr. Soe Dikibo expressed his amazement at the facility and its partnership with NCDMB. He noted that the Board’s plan to fabricate most of the plant’s equipment in-country is commendable.
A journalist and President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt – Garden City, Mr. Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie also lauded the Board for its numerous development strides and for affording stakeholders first-hand opportunity to be enlightened on the Board’s programmes. He extolled the increase of Nigerian Content from the initial 5 percent at the passage of the NOGICD Act in 2010 to the current level of 42 percent and the projection to hit 70 percent by 2027.
Corporate Communications
March 10, 2022
The NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), has won the CSR Champion Award (Health) 2025 instituted by the Independent Newspapers.
Biztellers reports that the award was presented during the Silver Jubilee edition of the Independent Newspapers Awards, themed “Game Changers: Breaking Barriers and Shaping Tomorrow,” held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
The CSR Champion Award (Health) recognises the Foundation’s work in healthcare and its broader commitment to improving lives through social investment programmes spanning health, education, environment, and access to energy.Primary & Secondary Schooling (K-12)
The recognition follows a series of health initiatives delivered by the Foundation, including free cataract screening and surgeries that restored sight to over 6,000 Nigerians, including minors born blind; cancer and glaucoma interventions; medical outreaches to underserved communities; renovation and furnishing of three wards with 100 beds at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; partnership and sponsorship of heart surgeries; and provision of dental health accessories to children in special schools, among others.
The NNPC Foundation noted that these results were made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose commitment has continued to strengthen the Foundation’s capacity to deliver social investments across the country.
Reacting to the award, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, described the recognition as a validation of the Foundation’s work and the trust placed in it by Nigerians. She noted that the award means so much to the company because it represents the confidence Nigerians have placed in its work and the value they see in purposeful social investment.
“It speaks to the resilience of the communities we serve, the dedication of our team, and the strength of partnerships that have enabled us to do meaningful work in health, education, environmental sustainability and access to energy,” she added.
In addition, Arukwe noted that “these results have also been made possible through the leadership and support of the NNPC Ltd. Management team, whose backing has been instrumental to the success of the Foundation’s work. We receive this award with gratitude, and with a renewed sense of responsibility to do more and reach further across the country.”
The NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte remains committed to advancing health interventions that improve outcomes and contribute to national development.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), through its Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division, in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sonatrach, the Algerian National Oil Company, for cooperation in research, development, and innovation.
The agreement, signed by NNPC Ltd’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, establishes a formal framework for joint work in research and technology exchange between the two national oil companies.
This was contained in the press statement issued on Thursday by Chief Corporate Communications Officer Mr. Andy Odeh.
According to the statement, the agreement, held during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) Forum for R&D Directors at the PTDF Tower in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together research and development directors from APPO member countries.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, represented by former Secretary General of APPO, Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the forum was one of four measures introduced by APPO to address challenges from the global energy transition, which center on funding, technology, and markets.
“The R&D forum tackles technology and expertise needs, the African Energy Bank addresses funding constraints, and the Central African Pipeline System supports regional oil and gas market integration,” Lokpobiri stated.
ALSO READ: Peterside Harps on Strong Leadership at NCDMB Book Reading Series
Earlier in his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun, said research and development must form a central part of the overall strategy in the African oil and gas industry.
He called for research and development centres to function as engines of industrial competitiveness. “Collaboration in research and development is of strategic importance. The cost of innovation might be high, but the cost of obsolescence would be greater,” he stressed.
Ojulari called for a unified strategic framework through which resources could be pooled, data integrated, and risks shared across member countries.
He further urged the rapid adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and advanced engineering to improve upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
On his part, the APPO Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, urged African petroleum-producing countries to ensure research in the oil and gas sector produced solutions that are practical and directly relevant to the continent. “We must ensure that our research delivers solutions that are practical and of direct use to Africa,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Prof. Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, highlighted the value of the partnership between NNPC Limited and PTDF in supporting decarbonization and environmental protection efforts across APPO member countries.
Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC Research, Technology and Innovation and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, said the forum would give immediate priority to joint programs in the core areas of upstream optimization, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation processes, and industrial systems development.
The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), has opined that a predictable fiscal and regulatory environment are ingredients essential to de-risking investments and accelerating project delivery in the oil and gas sector.
This was detailed in a statement released by NGA at the end of its maiden Legal Forum emphasised that investor confidence will be shaped by the robustness of commercial and contractual structures across the gas value chain, strengthened contractual clarity, and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms.
In his opening address, President of the NGA, Aka Nwokedi, underscored the urgency of aligning Nigeria’s legal architecture with its strategic gas ambitions, noting that the sector’s next phase of growth will be defined by the strength, clarity, and credibility of its regulatory environment.
“Nigeria’s gas resources present a defining opportunity for economic transformation, but realising this potential will depend on building a legal framework that is transparent, predictable, and globally competitive”, he stated.
Discussions throughout the Forum reflected a clear and consistent theme: that Nigeria’s opportunity now lies in execution.
ALSO READ: IEA: Nigeria Has Only 1.42m bpd Production Capacity, Zero Spare Output
While the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has established a transformative foundation for sector reform, participants emphasised that its true impact will be determined by disciplined implementation, regulatory coherence, and institutional alignment.
The need to eliminate ambiguity and strengthen enforcement emerged as central to unlocking sustained investment.
As global energy systems continue to evolve, the Forum reinforced natural gas as Nigeria’s most strategic lever for balancing economic growth, energy security, and emissions reduction. Participants highlighted that legal and regulatory frameworks must evolve accordingly, moving beyond policy intent to embed clear, enforceable standards on carbon management, ESG obligations, and sustainability.
“In an increasingly competitive global market, such clarity will be critical in attracting long-term capital.”
The Forum also acknowledged the policy direction of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in advancing gas development through infrastructure expansion and increased domestic utilisation.
Stakeholders noted that sustained policy stability will serve as a critical signal to both domestic and international investors evaluating long-term opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector.
Beyond its technical depth, the NGA Legal Forum marked an important step in bridging the longstanding gap between legal frameworks and industry realities, creating a structured platform for continuous engagement, practical alignment, and forward-looking policy development.
Adeleke Justifies Osun Security Trust Fund
Dangote Refinery Showcases Power of Domestic Value Addition – Prof Ike‑Muonso
NNPC Foundation Wins CSR Champion Award (Health)
Dangote Refinery Exports 1.1bn Litres of Aviation Fuel to Europe, Supplies 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1 – AON
NNPC Ltd, Algeria’s Sonatrach Ink MoU for Research, Innovation
Peterside Harps on Strong Leadership at NCDMB Book Reading Series
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
