Economy
34 Firms Bid to Secure NNPC Depots, Pump Stations
By Dipo Olowookere
No fewer than 34 companies have expressed their intention to provide security for assets belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), including its depots and pump stations across the country.
The aim of the protection is to consolidate on the successes recorded in the steady supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country.
A total of 54 companies were invited for the jobs through selective tendering. The public opening of bid is part of NNPC’s commitment to transparency as a Focused, Accountable, Competitive and transparent organisation, conducting its business with Integrity (FACTI).
Managing Director of the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), Mr Luke Anele, during the bid opening exercise for the selection of firms last Wednesday, stated that the NPSC was desirous of engaging reputable and competent security firms to safeguard its critical assets to ensure unimpeded operations and efficient service delivery.
Represented by the NPSC’s Executive Director in charge of Pipelines, Mr Danladi Ahmed, the MD stated that, “This particular exercise avails us the opportunity to identify competitive offers from companies that are competent and ready to secure our assets such as depots and pump stations at competitive rates.
“The NPSC assets are wide spread nationwide, which means security is important, if you have anything of value, you must provide security to safeguard it.”
NPSC is a midstream subsidiary of the NNPC in charge of depots and pipelines.
The MD stated that the bid opening was conducted openly in the full glare of representatives of the bidding companies to demonstrate the NNPC’s commitment to transparency and due process in all its activities.
He assured the bidders of a level playing ground that would guarantee the emergence of the best companies among them.
A cross section of participating bidding companies who witnessed the event expressed their satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing the Corporation as a transparent company that operates according to the dictates of best global standards.
Mr Dozie Tassie, who represented Pentagon Securities Ltd, described the bidding process as credible and satisfactory, adding that everybody was given the opportunity to compete fairly.
“NNPC demonstrated that it was committed to global best practices. Now that everybody has given the opportunity to verify that the documents they submitted were not tampered with and the names of participating companies are made known, there won’t be cases of people raising eyebrows when winners emerge because they have witnessed the process and could testify that no company was smuggled in. NNPC is doing a fantastic job, it is a step in the right direction,” Mr Tassie enthused.
While applauding the efforts of the NNPC GMD, Mr Maikanti Baru, the Managing Director of Goldlight Security Ltd, Chief John Eke, stated that he saw transparency and due process in action during the bidding exercise.
“What I have seen today gladdens my heart. There is due process and transparency in place. The GMD and the MD, NPSC and those involved in the entire process deserve commendation. In fact, it shows that the NNPC is going places” a highly elated Eke stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The founder and chief executive of Austin Laz and Company Plc, Mr Asimonye Austin Lazarus Azubuike, has sold off about 52.24 million shares of the organisation.
The stocks were offloaded in 11 tranches at an average price of N4.36 per unit, amounting to about N227.8 million.
The transactions occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, according to a notice filed by the company to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday.
Business Post reports that Austin Laz is known for producing ice block machines, aluminium roofing, thermoplastics coolers, PVC windows and doors, ice cream machines, and disposable plates.
The firm evolved from refrigeration sales to diverse manufacturing since its incorporation in 1982 in Benin City, Edo State, though facing recent operational halts.
According to the statement signed by company secretary, Ifeanyi Offor & Associates, Mr Azubuike first sold 1.5 million units of the equities at N2.42, and then offloaded 2.4 million units at N2.65, and 2.0 million units at N2.65.
In another tranche, he sold another 2.0 million units at a unit price of N2.91, and then 5.0 million units at N3.52, as well as about 4.5 million at N3.87 per share.
It was further disclosed that the owner of the company also sold 9.0 million shares at N4.25, and offloaded another 368,411 units at N4.66, then in another transaction sold about 6.9 million units at N4.67.
In the last two transactions he carried out, Mr Azubuike first traded 10.0 million units equities at N5.13, with the last being 8.5 million stocks sold at N5.64 per unit.
By Dipo Olowookere
ASO Savings and Loans Plc has been delisted from the daily official list of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
This action followed the revocation of the operating licence of the company by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2025.
In a circular on behalf of the NGX Regulation (NGX RegCo) by Ugochi Eke, it was disclosed that the effective date of the delisting is today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Already, the company has been notified of this development, according to the notice obtained by Business Post.
Before ASO Savings lost its operating licence, it had failed to meet some post-listing requirements, a part of the disclosure from the NGX RegCo stated.
“The board of NGX Regulation Limited via its decision dated January 1, 2026, approved that the step below should be taken pursuant to the process for regulatory delisting of issuers.
“The board has approved the delisting of ASO Savings and Loans Plc from the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s daily official list effective January 16, 2026.
“ASO Savings is hereby notified of this enforcement action and is advised to direct any communication in respect of the foregoing to [email protected].
“NGX RegCo was engaging the listed entity, concerning its outstanding post-listing obligations. However, due to the revocation of the operating license of ASO Savings by its primary regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) effective December 16, 2025; NGX RegCo will delist the entity from the daily official list effective January 16, 2026.
“In view of the foregoing, NGX RegCo has proceeded with publishing the name of the Company in the national dailies.
“The company has been duly notified of this enforcement action, and this publication serves as notification to the investing public, particularly shareholders of the company and investors in the Nigerian capital market,” the statement read.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has issued a stern warning to oil and gas investors that petroleum licences in Nigeria are strictly for active development, not asset hoarding or speculative holding, declaring that operators must drill or risk losing their rights.
He made this admonition while delivering his message at the 2025 Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Licensing Bid Round Conference in Lagos, where he outlined the government’s hardline stance on asset utilisation and investor accountability.
“The oil assets in portfolio are not mere symbols or souvenirs,” Mr Lokpobiri said, adding that, “Holders of licences are obligated to drill, drill and drill for a shared benefit for the Government, Nigerians and the operators.”
He stressed that the administration is determined to ensure petroleum assets are translated into tangible economic value, noting that licences are time-bound rights granted solely for productive use.
“These assets belong to the Federal Government, and licences are granted strictly for a defined period for productive use, not passive ownership,” the minister said. “Our licensing framework is designed to eliminate speculation and ensure that only serious, capable investors participate.”
Mr Lokpobiri also issued a strong caution to bidders seeking to participate in the 2025 licensing round, urging them to fully understand the process and obligations before submitting bids.
“As prospects take part in this bid round, a clear understanding of the modus operandi guiding the process is essential,” he said, recalling previous bid rounds where some winners attempted to reverse their commitments.
“Past experiences have shown instances where some winning bidders sought refunds based on unmet expectations or perceived asset limitations,” Lokpobiri stated. “Such actions are untenable, as there is no provision in law for the refund of a bid already won.”
According to him, the conference was convened to remove ambiguity and protect the integrity of the licensing system, stressing that the government would strictly enforce all contractual obligations arising from the process.
“This conference serves to provide clarity upfront,” he said. “Participants must be fully informed, deliberate and committed, as the Government will uphold the sanctity of the process and enforce all obligations.”
The minister’s remarks reinforce the Federal Government’s broader push to accelerate upstream development, boost production and attract only technically and financially capable investors into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, amid renewed licensing activity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
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