General
Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea Target Joint Operations in Oil and Gas
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, two member nations of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), have opened discussions regarding new partnerships, such as establishing a joint logistics base, deploying indigenous capacities across the countries, and lowering the costs of major oil and gas operations.
These were the points of discussion when the Minister of Planning and Economic Diversification of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Gabriel Mbega Obiang Lima, led a delegation to engage the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Kesiye Wabote, at the Board’s liaison office in Abuja recently.
Mr Lima called on Nigerian oil and gas service companies to establish their operational bases in Equatorial Guinea, whereby the companies would use the country’s ports to launch their activities in neighbouring countries such as Gabon, Cameroon, and Angola.
The Minister promised to send a formal request for the partnership to the NCDMB, adding that the support of government institutions would be needed before such business opportunities could be explored successfully.
The Minister complained about the exorbitant cost of key oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
He further suggested that operators in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea could significantly lower their costs by collaborating in the scheduling of their respective work programmes, such as mobilising and demobilising drilling rigs and other assets.
He hinted that the proposed business relationship and pooling of demand profiles were necessary to attract key investments. He said this was because big companies like General Electric would only invest in a jurisdiction if they were assured of markets from neighbouring countries.
Speaking on the debate around energy transition and plans to displace fossil fuels with renewable energy solutions progressively, the Minister and the Executive Secretary re-echoed their positions that fossil fuels would remain the world’s dominant energy source for several decades and that Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea would not hurriedly abandon their natural resources to embrace renewable energy where they lacked competitive advantage.
Rather both nations would continue to exploit their oil and gas resources to the fullest and use the proceeds to develop their national economies, including renewable opportunities, they stated.
On his part, NCDMB Executive Secretary, Mr Wabote welcomed the Minister and his entourage, noting that both nations have collaborated closely in the energy sector in recent years and representatives of the Portuguese-speaking nation have participated in several Nigerian oil and gas conferences and visited some oil and gas facilities as well.
He confirmed that the Board and Nigerian oil and gas services companies were keen to participate in the proposed collaboration. He said such arrangements were identified in the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap under the pillar of Sectorial and Regional Market Linkages.
He further explained that Nigerian services companies had developed surplus capacities in several key areas. Hence, it is imperative to explore opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea, where their expertise and collaboration with players from other nations are needed.
He assured that NCDMB “will galvanise Nigerian services producers under the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and make sure they come with us to your conference, and we will synergise.”
He added that “there is no need going to US or Singapore. We can work out areas where we can partner. It might be in the marine sector, logistics base. There are huge opportunities.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has announced the reconstitution of its board following the resignation of three nominees of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), promising growth and stability.
Earlier this week, the disco, which serves Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Kwara States, as well as parts of Ekiti, Kogi and Niger States, unveiled its new board led by the new chairman, Mr Tunde J. Afolabi.
The newly constituted board include Mr Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, with Mr Michael I. Magaji as Alternate Director; Mr Taiwo Afolabi; Professor Oladapo Afolabi; Mr Tunde Fayinka; Mr Oluwaseyi Akinwale and Mr Adeolu Ijose.
According to the chairman, the emergence of a new core investor and the reconstituted board marks a significant milestone in the company’s corporate journey and signals a renewed strategic direction focused on stability, continuity and sustainable growth.
“This transition represents renewal, not rupture. It represents investment, not instability. It represents partnership, not division. Our goal is to strengthen governance, enhance operational performance, deepen capital investment and deliver improved service to customers across our franchise areas,” he added.
Mr Afolabi, while addressing customers directly, assured them that there would be no avoidable service disruptions as a result of the transition, stating that all IBEDC offices will remain open, while field operations will continue uninterrupted.
“The new core investor has committed to sustained capital investments in feeder rehabilitation and expansion, transformer upgrades and replacements, injection substation improvements, and the replacement of obsolete network components,” he stated.
He added that IBEDC plans to accelerate the integration of advanced digital and operational technologies, disclosing that these include enhanced outage management systems, strengthened billing platforms, expanded smart metering deployment, and digitised customer engagement channels aimed at improving transparency and service responsiveness.
On workforce stability, the chairman emphasised that there will be no job losses as a direct result of the transition, noting that the board, under his leadership, is committed to employee welfare, improved work tools, modern safety equipment, and technology upgrades to support field efficiency, while maintaining high performance standards.
Mr Afolabi also pledged proactive and structured engagement with regulators, including the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), underscoring its commitment to full regulatory compliance, strengthened governance frameworks, transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the commitment of the distribution company to structured and timely payment cycles for vendors and suppliers, recognising their critical role in maintaining network stability.
With the new board in place, he insisted that IBEDC is poised to deepen operational excellence, strengthen financial sustainability, and position itself firmly on the path to becoming Nigeria’s leading power distribution company—powering progress across its franchise with unity, confidence and innovation.
Established in November 2013 following Nigeria’s power sector privatisation, IBEDC operates the largest distribution network serving the highest customer population within Nigeria’s electricity distribution landscape.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has promised to enhance transparency and ensure that the NUPRC’s internal communications are fully digital.
Mrs Eyesan said this when the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr Musa Adar, visited the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
“We have set for ourselves a 60-day programme to digitise our interactions and communications within the commission. I can assure you that once we get to day 60, there will be no paper trail within the Commission. All our transmissions will be electronic, which also means speed is assured. It means we will be able to trace where we have hiccups,” Mr Eyesan said.
The NUPRC boss said digitising processes often leads to better results, like the enforcement of payments of royalties.
“I can tell you without a shadow of doubt that for royalty payments, the default rate was enormous prior to 2025 when the Commission went live on the system. Now, compliance has improved,” Mrs Eyesan said.
The NUPRC boss sought a deepened relationship with NEITI, which will foster transparency, especially amid the 2025 Licensing Round.
In his remarks, the NEITI’s scribe said there was a need for the NUPRC to carry the agency along in its operations as this would not only enhance transparency but also deepen investor confidence.
Mr Adar also urged the commission to be firm on oil companies that run afoul of the Petroleum Industry Act.
Speaking on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Mr Adar asked that the NUPRC actively participate in the 2026 EITI flagship conference, which will provide the Commission with better insights into the standards that guide EITI implementation.
The NEITI boss also sought support from the Commission in the area of data sharing, which will enhance the operations of the agency.
“We are here to seek understanding, and we must collaborate,” Mr Adar said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has been charged to do everything within his powers to restore peace and strengthen security across the nation.
This task was given to the new police chief by President Bola Tinubu after being decorated at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Disu was chosen to succeed Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the Senate next week.
President Tinubu described Mr Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.
“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor,” the President said.
“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” he added.
Mr Tinubu urged him to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity.
“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President said, reaffirming his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.
The President also paid tribute to Mr Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, saying, “We are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order.”
He urged Egbetokun to be ready to offer useful advice to his successor and wished him and his family peace, good health and success in future endeavours, noting,
“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”
Mr Tinubu urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.
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