General
Niger Delta Group Rejects Ownership of Oil Fields by Northerners
By Adedapo Adesanya
A group known as the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has alleged that over 90 per cent of marginal oil fields in the Niger Delta region of the country is owned by people from the Northern part of Nigeria.
Marginal fields are smaller oil blocks that are developed by indigenous companies with the capacity to produce not more than 30,000 barrels per day. They are often discovered on an International Oil Company (IOC)-owned block where there has been no activity in at least the last 10 years.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government introduced marginal fields programme to encourage indigenous participation in the oil industry and also to increase the government’s take on undeveloped acreages, in order to discourage the continuous holding of undeveloped fields by international oil companies.
On May 31 2021, the federal government awarded licence letters to successful investors for the development of 57 marginal oilfields in the country.
But the group is raising an alarm, claiming that almost all 57 marginal oil fields are owned by northerners, whereas the fields are domiciled in the southernmost part of the country.
While speaking recently at the commissioning of the 300,000 litres capacity water facility with a water plant and 1,250KVA power generating set in Idama, Akuku Toru LGA of Rivers State, by Belemaoil/NNPC JV, operators of OML55, the President of the INC, Mr Benjamin Okaba, said this development was exploiting the indigenous areas.
The Ijaw leader spoke in reaction to plans by indigenous oil firm Belemaoil Producing Limited to commission completed CSR projects in Enugu and Sokoto states, lamenting that Ijaw communities have were been raped and exploited over the years by oil companies with little or nothing to show for it.
He said indigenes of other states do not implement projects in Ijaw land, urging the management of Belemaoil to implement more projects in Ijaw communities before extending hands to non-Ijaw areas.
“Over the years, the cry has been neglected by those exploiting our environment and giving back little or nothing.
“Please, we need these projects here in Ijaw land than in Enugu and Sokoto states. Before you give one project to Sokoto, give 10 projects to Ijaw communities. Before you give one project to Enugu please give us 20 projects.
“The truth is that nobody from Sokoto or Enugu will come here and give us any project.
“All the marginal oil wells, 90 per cent of them are owned by Northerners, that is the truth. And they (northerners) take over everything without repatriating anything to us. Sir, the charity must begin at home.
“I am the President of Ijaw National Congress representing over 30million Ijaw people and I have the audacity to say this, please we need more projects. You have done so much, but we need more,” the Ijaw leader said.
He also charged Ijaw communities to remain peaceful for development to thrive and also to make their communities conducive for developmental projects.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Media and External Relations Lead of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Abiodun Coker, has been crowned the Future Leader in Media Management.
He clinched this award at The Industry Summit/Awards held on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Lagos, with several persons from across all sectors in attendance.
Mr Coker’s recognition further cements his growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and future-ready communications leaders, with his eyes firmly set on redefining the media management landscape.
The award jury, chaired by Mr Tolulope Ogunjobi, a renowned broadcast business correspondent and Business Editor at TVC News, said Mr Coker was bestowed with the honour because of his exceptional achievements in the public relations field during the year 2024.
The team said one of them was his masterful handling of UBA’s 2024 rights issue, which successfully closed on December 24, 2024, and the impactful execution of the bank’s 75th Anniversary Campaign, both of which were described as commendable and exceptional.
According to the jury, his management of UBA’s media ecosystem during the year under review was remarkable, with several media professionals praising his public relations craftsmanship and ability to skilfully manage the image of one of Africa’s most formidable financial brands.
“Abiodun Coker’s achievements in 2024 are a beacon for greater accomplishments ahead. He is undoubtedly one of the strategic communication experts to watch in 2025,” the jury noted.
A seasoned professional, Mr Coker’s journey from an acclaimed financial journalist at BusinessDay Newspapers to a powerhouse in corporate communications has been nothing short of inspiring.
With over eight years of robust journalism experience, coupled with leadership roles at top-tier public relations firms such as BD Consult Ltd and Quadrant, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to transform and manage leading brands successfully.
Organized by The Industry Newspaper, the leading brand marketing publication in West Africa, the prestigious awards recognize outstanding professionals shaping the future of brand marketing and communications across the region.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to fostering a more enabling investment climate, anchored on macroeconomic stability, structural reform, and a clear pathway to inclusive prosperity.
He gave this assurance at a high-level private dinner, organized by Kuramo Capital Management Lagos as part of Africa Venture Capital Week.
The Minister lauded Kuramo Capital and its partners for their steadfast belief in Africa’s promise and highlighted the alignment between private capital and Nigeria’s renewed hope reform agenda.
According to a statement, participants recognized the vital role of blended finance and innovation in driving sustainable development.
The event brought together a distinguished group of global investors, development partners, and business leaders for a candid exchange on unlocking long-term capital for Africa’s growth and transformation.
It also marks Kuramo Capital’s first formal convening in Nigeria in several years, underscoring a renewed sense of commitment to deepening its strategic footprint across the continent.
Mr Edun said with this renewed commitment, the federal government is poised to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, investment, and inclusive prosperity.
He also called for more investment into the country, assuring participants that the right mechanisms are being put in place towards driving Nigeria’s development and improving the lives of its citizens.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government is fast-tracking the implementation phase of its economic and financial inclusion strategy aimed at improving access to economic opportunities for Nigerians.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Ibrahim Hadejia, at the inaugural meeting of the Technical Committee of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI).
He said that “Financial inclusion is not just about having a bank account—it means access to quality services, credit, and the visibility that digital platforms offer.”
The meeting was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The federal government established an inter-agency task force to address challenges delaying President Bola Tinubu’s approved conditional cash transfers to 15 million vulnerable households.
The task force includes the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).
The mandate of the taskforce goal is to unlock bottlenecks and fast-track the distribution of critical financial support to Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
The meeting also endorsed steps to work with state governments in localising data from the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access in Nigeria (EFInA) Access to Financial Services survey – a biennial study conducted by the EFInA.
Mr Hadejia explained that the meeting brought together high-level stakeholders from government agencies, financial institutions, and academia to align on the President’s vision and execution roadmap.
“We are off to a very good start. What has led to the success of what we’ve done so far is alignment and inclusive stakeholder engagement,” he said.
On hsi part, the committee’s Secretary, Mr Nurudeen Zauro, said the meeting also approved PreCEFI’s strategic roadmap and governance structure.
Mr Zauro, who is also the Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion, said ” an inter-agency committee has been established to address delays in the disbursement of conditional cash transfers to 15 million households as mandated by President Tinubu.
“We will be presenting the report to the National Economic Council and the Nigerian Governors Forum to ensure data is domesticated and acted upon at the subnational level.”
Also, Director-General of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, explained that digital identity plays a foundational role in achieving inclusion goals.
“The beauty of the NIN is that it bridges the financial divide. It provides access to health, education, and agricultural services and strengthens national data infrastructure,” she said.
The Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion at the CBN, Mrs Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, urged the committee to focus on implementable outcomes that serve those at the base of the pyramid.
According to her, financial inclusion is one of the eight reform pillars of the President’s agenda.
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