Economy
Nigeria Adds New Oil Grade to Boost Production
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has added a new crude oil grade known as Utapate in a bid to boost output that has faltered due to underinvestment, vandalism, and oil theft in the energy sector.
This is coming at a time Nigeria, as Africa’s biggest oil producer, launched a new terminal, also called Utapate, in the Niger Delta region.
The new facility produced almost 19,000 barrels per day in June and is projected to reach a production capacity of 50,000 barrels per day by the end of the year, making it a significant crude grade in the country.
Utapate, a subsidiary of state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and venture partner Natural Oilfield Services Limited, loaded the first export cargo last month, according to people familiar with the matter.
The additional grade is part of Nigeria’s effort to increase its oil production from the current 1.27 million bdp to 2 million barrels per day.
Utapate, a light and low-sulfur oil from the Niger Delta region, is among the numerous crude grades produced in Nigeria.
According to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, the Suezmax Front Seoul loaded Utapate on July 24.
The vessel is now en route to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. The Utapate grade is set to be processed in both Europe and Asia.
The first shipment of Utapate is destined for the Spanish refiner Repsol SA.
Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil production, Nigeria fails to satisfy its quota of 1.5 million barrels per day set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
This deficiency has resulted in financial losses, since crude oil accounts for over 60 per cent of foreign earnings despite being just 5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
The inability to reach the OPEC quota is mostly due to oil theft, vandalism, and insufficient investment in the industry.
In July, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited announced a war on crude oil theft, claiming that it has become a national security issue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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