The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has highlighted the completion of the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State as evidence of the Commission’s growing capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects across the Niger Delta.

Ogbuku spoke at the 2026 NDDC Partners for Sustainable Development Conference in Port Harcourt, where he attributed the Commission’s progress to the support and cooperation of its development partners and other stakeholders.

SEE MORE: Otti Commends NDDC, Charges Team Abia To Dominate NDSF

The Kaa-Ataba Bridge links Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State and is expected to improve connectivity between the communities when opened to vehicular traffic.

According to Ogbuku, the project is among developments that many previously considered beyond the capacity of the NDDC.

“These are things that, in the past, people never believed the NDDC could do. Today, we are doing them seamlessly because of the support we are getting,” he said.

The NDDC boss said the progress recorded by the Commission demonstrated the impact of collaboration between the agency and its development partners.

He thanked stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Minister of Regional Development for their support and encouragement towards the delivery of projects across the Niger Delta.

Ogbuku said the achievements also underscored the importance of collective responsibility, in line with the theme of the 2026 conference, “Synergy for Transformation.”

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has highlighted the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC Ltd) latest financial and operational performance, saying the figures offer “some lessons for Atiku” amid the debate over fuel subsidy.

Onanuga disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday while reviewing NNPC’s key financial performance for 2025 following the release of the company’s audited results.

According to him, NNPC’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22 per cent to ₦18 trillion, while earnings per share increased by 32 per cent to ₦35.9.

ALSO READ: ‘We’ll Bring Back Subsidy in Our Own Way’ — Kwankwaso

He said the company’s operating cash flow also grew by 16 per cent to ₦12.8 trillion, while return on equity improved by 200 basis points to 16 per cent.

Onanuga further noted that NNPC declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.

Highlighting the company’s operational performance, he said crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years.

Natural gas output, he added, averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, representing a three-year high.

Oil and condensate production totalled 565.8 million barrels, up five per cent, while NNPC’s equity share increased by 11 per cent to 223.7 million barrels.

Gas production also reached 2,606.2 billion standard cubic feet, up nine per cent, while the company’s equity share rose by 11 per cent to 1,154.9 billion standard cubic feet.

Onanuga then linked the performance to the subsidy debate, arguing against a return to petrol subsidy.

“Atiku’s subsidy programme will certainly kill this company, which could be our own Aramco. Our country has no business taking 100 steps back. Forward ever!” he said.

NNPC Records ₦7.2tn Profit

NNPC Ltd had earlier announced a 33 per cent increase in profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.

The company’s profit after tax rose from ₦5.4 trillion in 2024 to ₦7.2 trillion in 2025, while revenue stood at ₦34.5 trillion.

NNPC also reported a 22 per cent increase in EBITDA to ₦18 trillion, a 16 per cent rise in operating cash flow to ₦12.8 trillion and a 32 per cent increase in earnings per share to ₦35.9.

The company declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.

On production, NNPC said crude oil and condensate output averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years, while natural gas production averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day.

The company said the results reflected stronger earnings capacity and operational momentum as it continues to pursue increased production and investment across the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has reacted to a Kenyan court order concerning his planned oil refinery project in Lamu County, saying he is prepared to confront anyone seeking to disrupt the investment.

Dangote spoke in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 29, after learning that a court had issued an order restricting construction activities at the site of the proposed refinery.

“Yesterday, when I landed, I saw a report that one court had given an order that we should not do any construction. I said that this is normal for us in Africa. We don’t care. In fact, this is even small,” Dangote said.

ALSO READ: Kenyan Court Halts Dangote Refinery Work

The businessman recalled a similar legal challenge involving one of his investments in Senegal, saying the project there was stopped for about a year before the matter was taken to the Supreme Court.

“In Senegal, they stopped our factory for one year, and we went up to the Supreme Court to get a judgment, so anybody who wants to cause trouble, we are ready for them,” he said.

“We know the people who are doing all these things, and we will face them.”
The comments come amid a legal dispute over land earmarked for Dangote’s proposed refinery in Lamu. Local residents have challenged the project, while the court has issued an order maintaining the status quo pending further proceedings.

Despite the legal challenge, Dangote said the proposed refinery would bring significant economic opportunities to the region.

He said the project could require more than 60,000 people at the height of construction, while the presence of workers and businesses around the facility would stimulate wider economic activity.

“We will try to train a lot of people here because at the height of the project, we will need over 60,000 people on site. When these people are paid their salary, they will need to eat. Other companies will also set up shop,” he said.

Dangote also dismissed concerns that the long-term future of the oil industry would be undermined by the transition towards renewable energy, arguing that petroleum remains important beyond gasoline and other fuels.

The proposed Lamu refinery is expected to have a capacity of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is projected as a major investment in Kenya’s petroleum sector.

The legal dispute comes ahead of the planned launch-related activities for the project, with the court proceedings expected to continue in October.