Economy
Lokpobori Begs Global Investors to Consider Nigeria’s Reformed Oil Sector
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has called on global investors to seize emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly transforming oil sector, citing strong reforms, enhanced production capacity, and regional influence as key drivers of growth.
Speaking during a keynote remark at the United States–Nigeria Council’s session on oil sector collaboration, held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2025 in New York, Mr Lokpobiri highlighted the country’s renewed policy focus and expanding market potential.
“At the heart of Nigeria’s renewed energy agenda is a clear and deliberate policy direction: to open our oil sector to deeper, smarter, and more strategic partnerships,” the junior oil minister stated, adding that “The time to invest is not just now — it is ripe.”
“Recall that for over ten years, prior to the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria did not have any new investment in the oil sector but with the reforms we have carried out, which have created an atmosphere that is globally competitive and attractive, we now have new investments running into billions of Dollars”, the minister added.
“All inactive blocks during the period of no investments, are in the basket now and up for grabs. We have longstanding relationship with US and US companies, beyond these relationships, there are new opportunities for new investors, both in the upstream sector and other sectors.”
The Minister noted, in statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister, Ms Nneamaka Okafor, that, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s oil sector has witnessed significant progress over the past two years, including increased production output and a more attractive investment climate.
“Thanks to bold reforms and globally competitive fiscals, Nigeria has significantly ramped up production and repositioned itself as a dependable energy hub across West Africa and the continent,” he said.
Mr Lokpobiri attributed this transformation to the successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he described as a “robust, investor-friendly legal framework” that is driving growth and restoring investor confidence.
He also emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to energy transition efforts, affirming that the country would continue to leverage its fossil fuel reserves to finance its energy mix, while adhering to international climate agreements.
“We are fully aligned with the Paris Agreement, and remain committed to cleaner, more sustainable exploration.
“Our doors are open, our laws are clear, and our environment is conducive — now is the time for US and global investors to become part of Nigeria’s energy success story,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Dimension Data Limited, a Nigerian technology infrastructure provider, has raised N4.05 billion in its Series 1 bond, the first tranche of a wider N20 billion bond programme aimed at expanding its fibre-optic network across Nigeria.
Pathway Advisors Limited, a returning investor, acted as lead issuing house and bookrunner on the deal. The transaction closed after clearance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
More issuances are expected as the project continues.
The bond proceeds will fund fibre network expansion, capacity upgrades and service quality improvements, the company said.
It comes as a technology boom continues across the country, with infrastructure needs helping to drive investment and local businesses and reduce dependence on foreign firms.
Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated financial institutions to rely more on Nigerian data centres and local fibre providers rather than offshore cloud infrastructure, adding to demand for the kind of capacity Dimension Data is building.
Incorporated in 2003, Dimension Data runs a data centre with 47-rack capacity and serves about 8,000 customers in 47 countries. Its clientele includes 70 per cent of the Fortune 100 and sports organisations like the Amaury Sport Organisation (Tour de France).
In June, the firm opened subscriptions for the Series 1 Corporate Bond issuance of up to N5 billion under a N20 billion bond programme, with proceeds earmarked for expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The offer, led by Pathway Advisors Limited as the Lead Issuing House and Bookrunner, was executed through a book-building process and closed on June 29, 2026.
According to transaction details, the three-year bond is being offered at a book-build price range of 18.50 per cent to 20.00 per cent per annum, with coupon payments to be made semi-annually. The final coupon rate will be determined at the conclusion of the book-building exercise. The minimum subscription has been set at N10 million.
Dimension Data SPV Funding Plc said the funds raised from the issuance would be deployed towards strategic investments in fibre network expansion, capacity enhancement and service quality improvements.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange fell by 1.60 per cent on Tuesday, July 28, as investors booked profit from some of the best-performing stocks in the last trading sessions.
Investor sentiment was weak yesterday, after the bourse finished with three price losers and two price gainers.
FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria lost N14.80 during the session to sell for N135.00 per unit compared with the previous session’s N149.80 per unit, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc slid by N3.72 to sell at N89.91 per share versus N93.63 per share, and MRS Oil Plc declined by 50 Kobo to N148.00 per unit from N148.50 per unit.
On the flip side, Okitipupa Plc appreciated by N9.57 to quote at N257.57 per share versus Monday’s price of N248.00 per share, and Afriland Properties Plc grew by 89 Kobo to N19.90 per unit from N19.01 per unit.
At the close of business, the market capitalisation of the trading platform went down by N41.69 billion to N2.564 trillion from N2.606 trillion, and the NASD Security Index (NSI) dipped by 69.45 points to 4,273.15 points from 4,342.60 points.
Yesterday, the volume of securities traded by investors surged by 1,000.7 per cent to 6.7 million units from 604,565 units, the value of securities soared by 337.3 per cent to N85.8 million from the preceding session’s N19.6 million, and the number of deals rose by 54.6 per cent to 51 deals from 33 deals.
On a year-to-date basis, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc ended the day as the most traded stock by value, with a turnover of 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 75.9 million units exchanged for N5.4 billion.
GNI Plc was also the traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units transacted for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units traded for N415.7 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira slid against the US Dollar by N3.32 or 0.24 per cent in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Tuesday, July 28, to exchange at N1,365.53/$1 compared with the previous day’s N1,362.21/$1.
Equally, the local currency went south against the Pound Sterling in the official market yesterday by N2.38 to close at N1,816.43/£1 versus Monday’s closing price of N1,814.05/£1, and against the Euro, it depleted by N2.69 to trade at N1,552.88/€1, in contrast to the preceding session’s N1,550.19/€1.
However, the Nigerian Naira appreciated against the United States Dollar at the GTbank FX desk by N2 during the session to sell for N1,370/$1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,372/$1, and at the parallel market, it remained unchanged at N1,400/$1.
The country’s external reserves declined after the FX injections by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the currency market last week.
Interbank FX turnover rose sharply on the day to $102.954 million on Tuesday, reflecting a 160 per cent surge from $39.587 million recorded during the previous trading session.
Driving the huge US Dollar volume turnover on Tuesday, the apex bank reported that the number of FX deals at the interbank market advanced to 121 from 55.
In the cryptocurrency market, coins were largely insulated despite recent tech stock routs, which suggests its tight correlation with AI-linked equities may be weakening, even as regulatory uncertainty and upcoming Federal Reserve and economic data loom over markets.
There is uncertainty about the US Federal Reserve rate decision due on Wednesday, as most observers expect the bank to keep rates unchanged, while some expect a hike in borrowing costs.
Cardano (ADA) appreciated by 4.5 per cent to $0.1639, Ripple (XRP) grew by 2.6 per cent to $1.08, Ethereum (ETH) rose by 1.7 per cent to $1,917.05, Bitcoin (BTC) got a 1.4 per cent lift to sell at $64,374.04, and Binance Coin (BNB) expanded by 0.9 per cent to $570.27.
Further, Solana (SOL) improved by 0.8 per cent to $73.93, Dogecoin (DOGE) climbed higher by 0.6 per cent to $0.0707, and TRON (TRX) advanced by 0.3 per cent to $0.3255, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) traded flat at $1.00 apiece.
