Economy
Exit of IOCs Creates Opportunities for Nigerian Firms—Wabote
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote, has said the divestment of some assets of international oil and gas companies in Nigeria should not create panic.
According to him, this should be viewed as an opportunity for Nigerian companies to step into the field to fill the vacuum, a move he said would boost crude oil production, employment creation, and capital injection.
The Executive Secretary made this known while delivering the keynote address on the divestments in oil and gas: the challenges, the opportunities, and the implications to the industry in Nigeria at the 2023 Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja.
He stated that about 26 oil mining licenses have been divested or acquired by oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta Basin area of Nigeria in the past decade. Some of the divestments currently on the cards include the plan by Shell and ExxonMobil to sell oil and gas assets worth billions of dollars.
He added that this was in addition to Eni’s announcement in September of an agreement with Oando Plc for the sale of NAOC interests in six onshore blocks and the Okpai gas power plant in Delta State.
He emphasized that divestments of oil assets are not necessarily negative, rather they present an avenue for the local capacities and capabilities that have been developed through local content implementation to be brought into the upstream sector.
Mr Wabote outlined several opportunities that would accrue from divestments, such as the injection of new capital, the rejuvenation of divested assets, and an increase in crude oil production through the investment in technologies by the acquiring firms.
Other direct benefits are the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities by the indigenous companies and their service providers.
He reiterated that the divestments confirm that Nigerians and indigenous companies have come of age and have acquired the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities to play in the big leagues.
He added that “the involvement of our financial institutions on the transactions represents means of efficient capital deployment and capacity building on loans syndication on an international scale. This is also applicable to legal services, insurance, government relations, employee relations, community liaison, and others.”
Aside from the opportunities, the NCDMB boss equally highlighted challenges encountered in the divestment exercises. These revolved around the time required to get necessary regulatory approvals as well as the substantial interests from various groups covering political, legal, communities, and labour.
Among other challenges are the potential for the disruption of oil and gas production, job losses, as well as “access to latest technology especially if the new investors lack the technical expertise or have no support from original equipment manufacturers.”
There are also issues around how “to manage legacy issues or liabilities related to the environment, communities, and other social commitments and pressure on new investors to recoup investments on time to offset loans and address other financial requirements.”
The NCDMB boss assured that the board would continue to partner with industry stakeholders to institute regulations that would ensure that the increasing footprints and stakes of indigenous oil and gas production companies would not lead to a reduction in Nigerian content compliance.
He promised that the board would continue to partner with PENGASSAN to shape a future where Nigeria’s energy industry not only survives but thrives in the face of change.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has removed Nigeria from its Total IMF Credit Outstanding list after repaying the $3.4 billion pandemic loan.
The global lender provided funding support to some countries after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which crumbled the global economic and made some nations struggling to survive.
Nigeria was among the countries that relied on the IMF for funding support and it has repaid the loan, prompting the lender to remove its name from the debtors’ list.
The journey towards clearing this debt began in earnest in 2023, when the nation’s IMF debt stood at $1.61 billion, reaching $472 million by January 2025.
Commenting on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement and Strategy, Mr O’tega Ogra, described the clearance as a “strategic reset” for the nation’s financial policy.
He emphasized that this achievement is a reflection of the administration’s focus on fiscal discipline, long-term sustainability, and economic resilience.
“This milestone signals a new chapter for Nigeria, one marked by clarity, capacity, and fiscal responsibility.
“We are no longer defined by aid dependence but by our capacity to stand tall and manage our financial future on our terms,” Mr Ogra stated.
While Nigeria’s exit from the IMF’s debtor list is a symbolic moment of progress, Mr Ogra made it clear that the country would continue to engage with the IMF and other international partners, but now on a more proactive, strategic basis.
“Global partnerships remain essential, but we approach them from a place of strength, not dependency,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has called for deeper collaboration with Norway in the areas of debt restructuring, tax transparency, and climate finance, as part of its broader strategy to unlock sustainable development opportunities through global partnerships.
According to a statement, this call was made by the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, during a high-level bilateral meeting with the Norwegian Deputy Minister of International Development, Ms Stine Renate Håheim, held on the sidelines of the recent 2025 United Nations Meetings in New York.
Mrs Uzoka-Anite emphasized that Nigeria is prioritizing partnerships that can accelerate its economic reform agenda and climate resilience goals.
“We are actively seeking partners who understand the urgency of our development needs, especially in areas such as climate finance, debt restructuring, and tax cooperation,” she said.
She spoke on Nigeria’s interest in NORAD’s Energy for Development platform, which supports sustainable energy solutions across developing economies.
The Minister noted that Nigeria is eager to tap into the initiative to fast-track energy access and reduce emissions.
“Our energy transition plan aligns with global climate goals, and we believe collaboration under NORAD’s platform will be instrumental in delivering clean, affordable energy to millions of Nigerians,” she added.
The meeting also spotlighted the need for greater transparency in international tax cooperation frameworks.
“Improving tax transparency is critical to domestic resource mobilization. We welcome Norway’s support in helping us strengthen systems that fight illicit financial flows,” Mrs Uzoka-Anite stressed.
Ms Håheim acknowledged Nigeria’s regional importance and expressed readiness to explore areas of mutual interest, particularly in promoting inclusive growth and green development.
The statement added that the bilateral engagement reflects Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach at the 2025 UN Meetings, reinforcing its drive to forge strategic alliances that enhance governance, unlock financing for development, and boost resilience in the face of current global economic challenges.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Stakeholders have projected that the maritime law book authored by Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro will drive judicial and economic reforms in Nigeria.
At the presentation of the book titled International Trade and Carriage of Goods by Sea: Text, Cases, and Materials in Lagos on Tuesday, the piece was described as a timely intervention to strengthen the country’s judicial processes and economic development, particularly in the area of international trade.
The book, which integrates both local and international legal standards, aims to serve as a reference point for legal professionals, regulators, financial institutions and participants in the trade and shipping industries.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mrs Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who wrote the forward, said the publication would serve as a foundational text that would enhance the judiciary’s capacity to resolve disputes related to trade and shipping efficiently.
She said the book presents a practical approach to interpreting legal issues around carriage contracts, cargo liabilities and dispute resolution under both local and international frameworks.
“By simplifying complex concepts through case studies, diagrams and statutory references, the book will strengthen the quality of judicial decisions and enhance legal education in this essential sector.
“This text is exactly what our legal system needs. It commands respect for local precedents while drawing on legal judgments from other jurisdictions, guiding our courts to a uniform approach and giving our practitioners the confidence to negotiate, mitigate and arbitrate across borders,” she said.
On his part, the president of the Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, described the book as essential for businesses operating in global trade.
“This is the kind of resource that improves certainty in commercial transactions and boosts confidence among business operators,” he stated, praising the author’s contribution to trade and legal practice in Nigeria.
The book reviewer, Mr Adedolapo Akinrele (SAN), described the text as a unique, structured resource, citing over 200 cases, extensive chapters and global conventions to illustrate key concepts in maritime and international trade law.
He emphasised its practicality and relevance to both seasoned professionals and new entrants in the legal and commercial sectors.
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