By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has intensified its compliance drive in the oil and gas midstream segment, convening a high-level sensitisation workshop aimed at deepening adherence to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.

The workshop, themed Compliance with the Provisions of the NOGICD Act 2010: A Pathway to Industrialization, held in Lagos, drew key operators across gas processing, transportation, storage and infrastructure development.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Felix Ogbe, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Mr Omomehin Ajimijaye, described the midstream sector as “a critical bridge between upstream production and downstream utilisation.”

“The midstream segment plays a pivotal role in gas processing, transportation, storage and infrastructure development, all of which are essential pillars for achieving Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda,” Mr Ajimijaye said.

Mr Ajimijaye stressed that adherence to the NOGICD Act goes beyond regulatory obligation.

“Compliance with the NOGICD Act is not merely a statutory requirement,” he stated. “It is a strategic imperative for sustainable national development.”

He explained that the programme was structured to clarify registration processes, Nigerian Content Equipment Certification, expatriate quota requirements, statutory reporting templates and submission timelines.

“Our objective is to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of compliance requirements, address recurring gaps identified during Monitoring and Evaluation reviews, and foster constructive dialogue on operational realities within the midstream space,” he added.

According to Mr Ajimijaye, the board has received feedback from operators highlighting challenges in meeting Nigerian Content obligations, including reporting complexities and varying interpretations of certain provisions of the Act.

“As a responsive regulator and development-focused institution, we remain committed not only to enforcing compliance but also to providing guidance, clarity and the necessary support to enable stakeholders succeed,” he assured participants.

With Nigeria positioning gas as a transition fuel and economic growth driver, regulatory clarity in the midstream space is essential to unlocking investment and local capacity development.

The participants received technical presentations from key NCDMB divisions, including: Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Project Certification and Authorisation Division, Capacity Building Division and Zonal Coordination Division.

The interactive sessions provided practical guidance on engagement protocols with the Board and strengthened collaboration between regulators and operators.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, has taken over the prosecution of his immediate predecessor, Mr Abubakar Malami.

Mr Malami is facing terrorism and illegal firearms possession charges brought against him by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), took over the trial from the secret police on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, announced the Attorney General’s appearance in the matter.

Mr Oyedepo told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the trial cannot proceed because Mr Fagbemi has just taken over the prosecution.

He informed the court that the prosecution needed more time to familiarise itself with the facts of the case.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adedayo Adedeji, who did not oppose the application, however, urged the court to strike out the matter if the prosecution fails to open its case at the next adjourned date, citing lack of diligent prosecution.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to March 10 for trial and for the prosecution to formally open its case.

The court had, on February 27, admitted Malami and his son, Mr Abdulaziz, to N200 million bail, with two sureties, each one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik had said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court along with valid international passports.

The sureties were also ordered to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Mr Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The DSS had arraigned the ex-AGF and his son, Mr Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Malami is also accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Mr Malami and Mr Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Mr Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realisation of Nigeria’s space policy and programme as outlined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.

“I hereby approve that the cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, approved on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value.

“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guesswork. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage.”

President Tinubu assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to developing the society “by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.

“We shall be steadfast in providing the required support to the success of the space programme as well as relevant resources needed for its growth and the successful realisation of the mandate of the nation’s space agency,” he added.

The President noted that his administration’s investments in the sector are prompted by the opportunities in outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”