Connect with us

General

NCDMB, BoI Adjust MoU on $50m NOGaPS Manufacturing Fund

Published

on

NOGaPS Manufacturing fund

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have signed an amendment to the  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the $50 million Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS) Manufacturing Fund.

The fund was created by the NCDMB and domiciled with BoI to attract oil and gas equipment manufacturers to the NOGaPS facilities established by the NCDMB and increase access to affordable finance by the manufacturing entities.

The signing of the amended MoU took place in Lagos at the 2023 Second-Quarter Review Meeting of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIFund) on Friday, August 25.

Speaking on the fund, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Kesiye Wabote, underlined the tremendous success of the NCIFund in catalysing capacity development and investments in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, adding that it served as a model for local content practice across the African continent and inspired the creation of the African Energy Bank by the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) in partnership with the African Export Bank (Afreximbank).

He added that countries like Angola and Namibia are currently engaging the board with a view to understanding the workings of the NCI Fund so as to replicate the same in their jurisdictions.

“Today, Angola is thinking of establishing a similar credit line for their oil and gas companies. I think the parliament recently approved some sum of money for them to manage in that respect. Namibia is planning to do the same with the potential enactment of a Local Content Act.”

Mr Wabote further commended the Bank of Industry for the successes being recorded in the management of the NCI Fund, assuring that the Board will continue to look for other opportunities to increase its partnership with BoI.

“Considering the effectiveness and success recorded by BoI, NCDMB may consider inviting BoI to send a nominee that will act as independent Director to the Board of Directors of some of the companies that we have invested equity in. This will help them overcome some of the prevailing issues around governance, liquidity, and technical optimization.”

On his part, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr Olukayode Pitan, expressed confidence in the future performance of the Board’s funds domiciled in the bank while noting that these quarterly review meetings will impact sustaining the effective disbursements and recovery of these funds.

According to him, the NCI Fund is performing excellently with 194 applications equalling $1 billion (N80.6 billion) with 69 disbursements totalling $324 million (N38.4 billion).

The Board established the NCI Fund in 2018 with the purpose of financing Oil and Gas companies to increase capacity and grow Nigerian Content in the Industry. Presently, the NCI Fund has five product lines, which are being managed by the Bank of Industry. They include – Manufacturing Finance -$10 million; Asset Acquisition Finance -$10 million; Contract Finance -$5 million; Loan Refinance -$10 million and Community Contractor Finance – N20 million.

The $50 million NOGaPS Fund was launched as a separate product in March 2023 to incentivize companies that will be domiciled and manufacture oil and gas equipment components within the NCDMB oil and gas parks being established at different locations across the country, with the sites in Bayelsa and Cross River State open for occupation.

The Board also has a $30 million Working Capital Fund for oil and gas service companies and a $20 million Fund for Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund. The last two facilities are administered by the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (Nexim), and the agreements were signed in mid-2021.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

General

Dangote, German Firm to Deliver 16,940 Metric Tonnes of Fertiliser

Published

on

Dangote Tonnes of Fertiliser

By Adedapo Adesanya

The fertiliser producing arm of Dangote Industries Limited has partnered with Germany’s thyssenkrupp Uhde to license four urea granulation units in Nigeria. These will deliver a combined daily capacity of low-emission 16,940 metric tonnes of the product.

thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Uhde, entered into a strategic agreement with Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) to license its advanced UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for the four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.

The agreement includes the provision of the technology license, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of proprietary equipment such as granulators and scrubbers.

Each of the four new units will have a nameplate capacity of 4,235 metric tons per day, significantly boosting DFL’s annual urea granule production from approximately 2.65 million tons to over 8 million tons.

These units will be constructed in Lekki, adjacent to DFL’s existing fertilizer complexes, which have been operating with UFT technology since 2021 and produce 3,850 metric tons per day each.

The new facilities will incorporate UFT’s energy-efficient scrubbing system, designed to minimize pressure drop while effectively controlling dust and ammonia emissions to meet stringent environmental standards.

Additionally, the plants will feature the Ammonia Convert Technology (ACT), which integrates ammonium sulfate byproducts into the urea granules, eliminating waste streams and offering logistical and commercial advantages.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Nadja Haakansson, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde, said: “This partnership with Dangote Fertiliser Limited underscores our shared vision for sustainable industrial development and global food security. By deploying our proven UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology, we are setting new standards in efficiency and environmental stewardship in fertilizer production. We are proud to support DFL in building resilient and future-ready value chains.”

In the same vein, President of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, said: “We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertilizer Technology for the expansion of our fertilizer operations in Lekki.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial progress across Africa. With UFT technology, we are ensuring the production of high-quality urea fertilizer that meets global standards while reducing environmental impact. This investment further positions Nigeria as a leading fertilizer producer.”

Dangote Fertiliser Limited is one of Africa’s largest fertilizer producers, committed to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting food security across the continent while thyssenkrupp Uhde’s UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology is recognized globally as one of the most advanced solutions for producing urea granules.

Currently, over 70 per cent of the world’s urea granule output is produced using this technology, contributing significantly to global food supply while maintaining emissions well below regulatory limits.

Continue Reading

General

JCI Nigeria’s Oluwatoyin Atanda Emerges 2025 Most Outstanding National President

Published

on

Oluwatoyin Atanda

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, JCI Senator Oluwatoyin Atanda, has been named as the most outstanding National President for the global youth organisation for the year 2025.

Her emergence was announced on Saturday, November 9, 2025, at a Gala Night of Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Tunis, Tunisia.

She was chosen as the best out of over 100 national presidents of the global youth leadership organisation because of her outstanding leadership qualities.

Ms Atanda has been a long-standing member of JCI Nigeria since 2009, consistently demonstrating her ability to deliver results through a detailed, values-driven approach.

Over the years, she has earned widespread admiration for her strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to empowering young leaders across Nigeria.

Also, at the World Congress, she received the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of JCI Nigeria, in recognition of the organisation’s exceptional Global Impact Leadership and contribution to the 2025 JCI Impact Drive.

This honour celebrates Nigeria’s outstanding commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and shaping the 2025 JCI Impact Report —a testament to the passion, innovation, and dedication of every JCI Nigeria member working to create positive change across communities.

In her remarks, Ms Atanda, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Establishments and Training, as well as the Lagos State Coordinator -AUDA-NEPAD/Governance, dedicated the honour to the entire members of JCI Nigeria, especially members of the 2025 JCI Nigeria Executives, for their commitment to excellence and teamwork.

“This is indeed a very proud moment for me and for JCI Nigeria, we made history today, our ELV8 theme of rising together for a sustainable future, redefining leadership and inspiring others to lead with purpose paid off,” she said.

“When I took over the mantle of leadership of JCI Nigeria in January 2025, I made a pledge to inspire transformational change for the organisation by mobilising Nigeria’s youth, fostering community development, and positioning it as a leader in social impact both locally and globally, and I am glad we have been able to surpass our own expectations,” she added.

JCI is a global youth leadership organisation for people aged 18 to 40, dedicated to creating positive change in their communities.

It operates in over 100 countries and empowers members through leadership development, community projects, and international cooperation in areas such as business and personal growth.

The group provides members with opportunities to develop skills, create impact, and hold leadership positions at local, national, and international levels.

Continue Reading

General

Lagos Signs MoUs with Three Investors on Waste Conversion

Published

on

Wastes Landfill

By Faridat Yusuf

The Lagos State Government has signed three agreements with private investors to turn waste into useful products.

The Director of Public Affairs, Mr Kunle Adeshina, said this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the MoUs were to help reduce the amount of waste in the state.

He said, “The state over the weekend demonstrated its irrevocable commitment to advanced waste conversion.”

According to him, the signing took place during the 11th Lagos International Climate Change Summit.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the government wants to move from the old waste system of “pick and dump” to “conversion of waste to wealth which was more sustainable.”

He said the new MoUs would help reduce the waste that ends up at landfill sites.

“This is through a deposit refund system hinged on the Extended Producer’s Responsibility mechanism (EPRM),” he said, adding that one of the companies, HAK Waste Ltd, plans to establish a circular beverage container bottle recycling and recovery system.

“Haggai Logistics Ltd proposes to build a first-of-its-kind tyre recycling plant. This will be responsible for processing end-of-life tyres via a fully automated Waste Tyre Recycling Factory and deployment of environmentally sound recycling technologies.”

He also said, “Mondo 4 Africa, proposing to convert non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable fuel and other valuable resources through environmentally friendly technology.”

Mr Wahab said the government would continue to educate residents to sort their waste and see it as a resource.

He said, “We are trying to make people change the culture of seeing waste as waste but waste as a resource. We are also trying to shift their mindset from the practice that has been in use for decades.”

On his part, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said, “The state government or LAWMA alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility of managing the quantum of daily generated solid waste in the state.”

“We need the partnership of the private sector to turn waste into a resource and wealth,” he added.

The investors thanked the government for the opportunity and promised to work with the state to achieve its goals.

The event was attended by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Rotimi Akodu; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr Omobolaji Gaji; and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr Mahamood Adegbite.

Continue Reading

Trending