Economy
NNPC Not Competing With Dangote Refinery—Kyari
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, has said the federal government-owned oil agency was not competing with Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, is building a 650,000 barrel per day refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, Nigeria and the project, which was earlier scheduled for completion next month, will now be completed in some months’ time.
Recently, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, visit site of the project alongside the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Mr Sabo Nakudu; Chairman, Senate Committee on Services/member, Senate Committee, Upstream, Mr Muhammad Musa; Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Ahmed Shakur; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr Simbi Wabote; the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), Mr Ahmed Boboi; and Mr Kyari; among others.
The Minister, during the visit, pledged support of the federal government towards ensuring the completion of refinery, saying, “This is a very heart-warming moment for all of us as Nigerians.”
“There is no way a project of this magnitude will be going on and government will not be interested. Anywhere in the world, if a citizen of a country has committed so much money into investing in this kind of massive project, government must show interest,” he added.
“I must say now that Dangote Group has turned this project to the story of all of us, we must all support this project to succeed, because the success of this project signals a lot.
“Of course, I am sure that the whole world is looking at the success of this project. Investors all over the world will look at the success of this project and will come to Nigeria to at least also enjoy the benefit of investing here.
“So, we are actually here to assure you, Dangote Group, that as a government, as NNPC, we will support this project as much as we can. You have definitely done very well,” the former Governor of oil-rich Bayelsa State said.
Continuing, he said, “As you can see, the whole team is complete, and whatever your concerns are, whatever your problems are, please feel free to let us know, so that we will together find a solution to problems that you might encounter. Because of course, in project of this magnitude, you cannot expect that you will not have problems.”
Mr Sylva further said the Dangote Refinery was a testament that the country possesses enabling environment for businesses to thrive and added that the success of the project will boost investors’ confidence in the country’s oil and gas project, imploring Nigerians to support the refinery project with a view to ensuring that it creates more value addition to the economy.
Head of NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, while speaking during the tour, said that “we are not competing with Dangote but complimenting each other to boost production capacity. Our objective is the same, to make Nigeria a net exporter of crude. We can’t do this until we have complementary activities between the private sector and government.”
“ln the next five years, Dangote will add 650,000 barrels, government with 445,000 barrels with others companies coming up to boost capacity,” he said.
In his remarks, Group President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, stated that, “We believed in Nigeria and if we don’t do it ourselves, nobody will come down to do it for us. There is three per cent growth population increase annually in Nigeria, so, apart from that Nigeria are supposed to meet the needs of West, East and Central Africa in terms of supply.”
Similarly, Mr Devakumar Edwin, the company’s Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects and Portfolio Development, said that the asset creates market for 11billion per annum of Nigerian crude and can meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all liquid products.
He said that Nigeria is Africa’s largest crude oil producer, but lacks refining capacity to meet its own fuel needs.
“The Dangote refinery, which is designed to maximise petrol output, will produce enough to allow for a small surplus of that fuel for export. It will also be able to send a large volume of diesel and jet fuel to international markets,” he said.
Mr Edwin disclosed that Dangote plans to take advantage of local crude supply, adding that it won’t participate in the crude-for-fuel swap deal that is managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“We are going to buy the crude just at the export price and will sell our products at the import price, the crude swap is operating only for the importers of the product. The new refinery has been designed to process varieties of crude from sweet to light crude sourced both locally, and abroad.
“Dangote plans to export its diesel to Europe and gasoline to Latin America, Western and Central African markets,” Mr Edwin said.
He said that evacuation of refined products will be done by sea and through roads.
“We are thinking of investing in vessels. We want to make sure we are not held for ransom by any transport operators. Africa’s largest oil refinery had revealed that it would deliver its fuels to Nigerian consumers via roads and sea ports, and will effectively replace all of Nigeria’s fuel imports once fully operational,” he said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Shareholders of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc will receive one new share for every three held as of April 10, 2026, as a bonus, according to a proposal from the board.
This is in addition to a final dividend of N2.00 proposed by the board to shareholders for the 2025 fiscal year, which raised the total dividend for the year to N3.00, according to the financial statements of the company filed with NGX Limited.
Last year, NGX Group recorded a sterling performance, with its earnings growing by 36.0 per cent to N22.9 billion from N16.9 billion due to sustained growth across core business segments, improved customer penetration on the back of increased investor activity and rising investor confidence.
The operating profit in the year increased by 44.4 per cent to N11.8 billion, while pre-tax profit jumped to N15.6 billion from N13.6 billion in 2024, with the earnings per share (EPS) at N4.75.
As for its balance sheet, total assets increased to N71.0 billion from N68.0 billion, while shareholders’ equity strengthened to N55.2 billion
The improved debt-to-equity position reflects a conservative capital structure, enhanced solvency profile, and strong retained earnings growth.
“Our 2025 performance demonstrates the resilience of our business model and the effectiveness of disciplined strategic execution. Strong revenue growth, improved operating margins and a strengthened balance sheet reinforce our commitment to delivering sustainable long-term shareholder value.
“The increased dividend and bonus issue reflect the Board’s confidence in the sustainability of our earnings and the robustness of our capital position as we continue to deepen Nigeria’s capital markets.
“We are confident that the momentum that we have built in 2025 will be sustained, given investor confidence in the Nigerian capital market and a pipeline of exciting new listings that will broaden and deepen the market,” the chairman of NGX Group, Mr Umaru Kwairanga, said.
On his part, the chief executive of the organisation, Mr Temi Popoola, said, “We delivered strong top-line growth and enhanced profitability in 2025 despite macroeconomic headwinds.
“Our 36 per cent core revenue growth, improved operating efficiency and successful deleveraging have strengthened our capital base and financial flexibility, supporting the increased dividend and bonus issuance.
“As regulatory standards evolve, including the recent upward review of minimum capital requirements by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), our robust balance sheet positions us to meet new thresholds seamlessly while continuing to invest in liquidity expansion, product innovation and market infrastructure to build a resilient, globally competitive exchange group.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, inaugurated the Board of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and gave a 50 per cent access target for workers, saying consumer credit was critical to Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu established the CREDICORP to build a trusted credit infrastructure, provide catalytic capital to lower borrowing costs, and help Nigerians overcome long-standing cultural resistance to credit.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he inaugurated the board on behalf of the President, the Vice President, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, said that the quality of life of Nigerians cannot improve without closing the gap between access to capital and human dignity.
“A civil servant who earns honestly does not have to chase sudden wealth just to buy a vehicle, or save for ten years to buy one. A young professional should not remain in darkness simply because solar power must be paid for all at once,” the Vice President said.
VP Shettima disclosed that in just one year of operations, CREDICORP has disbursed over ₦37 billion in consumer credit to more than 200,000 Nigerians, with over half of them accessing formal credit for the first time.
The Vice President said the organisation was specifically tasked with building credit infrastructure to bridge the trust gap between lenders and borrowers, providing wholesale capital and credit guarantees through its portfolio company.
“Ultimately, these critical jobs of CREDICORP will enable access to consumer credit to at least 50 per cent of working Nigerians by 2030,” he said.
The Vice President explained that the new board’s role was not ceremonial as they are custodians of the organisation’s mission, adding that the long-term strength of the institution would depend on their “vigilance, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment.”
He directed Board members to uphold Public Service Rules, the Board Charter, and all applicable governance frameworks, warning that accountability and stewardship of public resources were non-negotiable.
The Chairman of CREDICORP, Mr Aderemi Abdul, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his vision behind the formation of CREDICORP and for the confidence reposed in them, noting that the establishment of the corporation marked an important step towards strengthening the nation’s financial architecture.
He assured President Tinubu that the board understands its responsibility and will guide the institution to deliver meaningful benefits to Nigerians.
For his part, Mr Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director/CEO of CREDICORP, recalled watching President Tinubu say 20 years ago that consumer credit is one of the major tools that will improve the lives of Nigerians.
He noted that over the past 18 months, the institution has benefited more than 200,000 Nigerians, including students.
He assured that the presidential vision behind CREDICORP would not be taken lightly, as the team considers their appointments a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Other members of the board inaugurated include Mrs Olanike Kolawole, Executive Director, Operations; Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, Executive Director, Credit and Portfolio Management; Mr Armstrong Ume-Takang (MD, MoFI), Representative of MoFI; Mrs Bisoye Coke-Odusote (DG, NIMC), Representative of NIMC; and Mr Mohammed Naziru Abbas, Representative of FMITI.
Others are Mr Marvin Nadah, Representative of FCCPC; Mrs Chinonyelum Ndidi, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance; Mr Mohammed Abbas Jega, Independent Director; and Mrs Toyin Adeniji, Independent Director.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Six price gainers helped the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange retain its stay in green territory after a 0.23 per cent appreciation on Thursday, February 26.
The price gainers were led by Nipco Plc, which added N25.00 to close at N278.00 per share compared with the previous day’s N253.00 per share, NASD Plc rose by N5.13 to N56.41 per unit versus N51.28 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc expanded by N2.24 to N102.44 per share from N100.00 per share, Afriland Properties Plc grew by 88 Kobo to N18.88 per unit from N18.00 per unit, 11 Plc increased by 35 Kobo to N277.00 per share from N276.65 per share, and Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) Plc gained 27 Kobo to close at N3.75 per unit versus N3.48 per unit.
On the flip side, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc lost N1.75 to sell at N68.25 per share versus N70.00 per share, and Geo-Fluids Plc depreciated by 2 Kobo to N3.25 per unit from N3.27 per unit.
The weight of the advancers fortified the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 9.21 points to 4,034.46 points from 4,025.25 points, and the market capitalisation soared by N5.51 billion to N2.413 trillion from Wednesday’s N2.408 trillion.
Yesterday, the transaction value jumped by 18.8 per cent to N102.8 million from N80.7 million, and the number of deals surged by 18,8 per cent to 38 deals from 32 deals, while the transaction volume went down by 84.9 per cent to 1.3 million units from 8.7 million units.
At the close of business, CSCS Plc was the most traded stock by value (year-to-date) with 34.2 million units worth N2.04 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 6.3 million units sold for N1.1 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 122.1 million units valued at N478.2 million.
Resourcery Plc remained as the most traded stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.05 billion units exchanged for N408.7 million, trailed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 122.1 million worth N478.2 million, and CSCS Plc with 34.2 million units traded for N2.04 billion.
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