General
Nigerian Government Commits to Zero Piracy For Third Straight Year
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian government has vowed to sustain the feat of achieving zero piracy incidents since 2022 for the third consecutive year, a feat that led the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) to remove the country from its piracy list of hot spots.
This feat, according to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, is attributed to the successful intervention of the Deep Blue Project, which has ensured zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters since 2022.
Mr Oyetola speaking at the 2024 graduation ceremony of the Advance Combat Training Program for the Maritime Security Unit of the Deep Blue Project, in Elele, Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State, said even the United Nations Security Council has acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in maritime security.
He said Nigeria has expressed its commitment to sustaining this momentum, with President Bola Tinubu demonstrating unwavering support and leadership in the quest for improved maritime security while urging maritime key players to continue their collaborative efforts to maintain the achievement.
“The Deep Blue Project was designed for specific goals, each is vital to the safety and security in the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ, as well as for the country’s economy.
The objectives of the Deep Blue Project include a real-time presentation of an integrated maritime situation picture of the Nigerian waters, creation of quality targets for operation based on Intelligence, prevention of illegal activity in the Nigerian EEZ, enforcement of maritime regulations, enhancing the safety of lives and property at the maritime environment, prevention of illegal activities in the sea and the inland waterways, enhancing the enforcement capabilities of NIMASA to generate revenue.
“The recent extension of the continental shelf from 200 to 300 kilometres has again widened our collective responsibility of ensuring that we harness our vast potentials that our waters that contribute to our marine resources against potential threat.
“Since the full deployment of the deep blue project platform and asset in 2021, within the Nigerian continental shelf, maritime security has been significantly enhanced, the project has contributed immensely to the reduction in piracy and maritime threats, enhancing safety and security in the maritime space.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Defence, Mr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, in his keynote address, reminded the graduates that they have the responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and ensuring that they remain safe, secure and free from all forms of threats.
“Your role is indispensable in maintaining the maritime integrity of our country and protecting our national assets. I am highly convinced that this set of trainees. As we reflect on the significance of these achievements it is important to acknowledge the broader context in which you operate.
“Maritime security is a collaborative effort requiring coordination and cooperation with various National and international agencies. You will be among the frontline defenders, working alongside the Nigerian Navy, maritime police and stakeholders to ensure a secured maritime domain.”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime Transport, Mr Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, remarked that the graduation ceremony marks the transformative milestone in the collective endeavours of Nigerians to secure the nation’s maritime domain.
“The addition of these highly trained personnel to the Deep Blue Project is a testament to NIMASA’s unwavering commitment to creating a crime-free maritime environment for Nigeria and the global maritime community.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.
The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.
Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.
The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.
In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.
They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.
Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.
Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.
In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.
In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.
Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.
Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.
Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.
The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.
Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.
Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.
Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.
Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.
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