Oil & Energy

NEDC Plans N100b Power Grid For 102 Council Areas

Published

52 minutes ago

August 3, 2026

The North East Development Commission(NEDC) said it has earmarked about 100 billion naira for the construction of 50 megawatts power grid to power some of the 102 local government areas of the six states in the region.

?The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali disclosed this while briefing media executives and bureau chiefs of selected organisations, in Abuja.

?Alhaji Alkali who spoke alongside the Chairman of the Commission, Major Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), said the NEDC has come a long way in addressing the critical needs of the citizens following the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

?He said the Commission had resolved that terrorism and other criminal activities would no longer determine the philosophy of the people of the North East, but a complete return to normal lifestyle defined by the culture of the people in commerce, agriculture, industry and education.

?Alkali said the Commission’s activities since its inception seven years ago were premised on the Master Plan for the region, noting that the Master Plan was anchored on four major pillars of Stabilisation and Recovery, Renewal, Expansion and Sustainable growth.

?In delivering the projects to change the narratives of the region, Alkali said the Commission had executed educational, agricultural and health projects in all the states in the zones, and committed several billions of naira to them.

?He disclosed that the Commission also plans to construct boreholes worth over 30 billion naira for the 1024 wards in the six states of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Yobe and Gombe.

?He added that when the Commission came on stream, there were no MIR machines and other critical equipment in the hospitals in the region, stressing that the region as at now ,has eight MIR machines and scanning equipment facilitated by the Commission.

?He said: “The Commission recently attained five ISO certifications covering quality, environment, occupational health and safety, anti-bribery and sustainable communities, demonstrating globally recognised governance systems.

?”It has completed over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, reconnecting communities, reducing transport costs and improving access to markets, schools and hospitals.

?”Through the Light Up the North-East Project, more than 100,000 solar street lights have improved security and extended commercial activity. In education, 49 tertiary institution projects, 18 Mega Schools and over 100 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities have expanded access to learning.

?”To date, NEDC has delivered over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, restoring critical transport corridors, improving access to education and healthcare, facilitating trade, and strengthening regional integration.

?Alkali who highlighted different projects executed across the region, said streetlights have been installed in cities and villages, stating that over 100,000 poles were already installed; 48,000 last year and more than 50,000 this year.

Oil & Energy

NMDPRA Seeks Investment To Bridge Infrastructure Gaps, Develop African Oil Price Benchmark

Published

52 minutes ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

Ahead the West Africa Refined Fuel Market Conference, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has stressed the need for investment in the oil and energy sector to bridging infrastructure gaps as well as develop the African oil price benchmark.

The conference, billed to hold from August 11 – 12 , in Abuja, with the theme ‘Funding West Africa Infrastructure and Distribution to Create a Transparent Market for Regional Price Benchmarks’, and organised in collaboration with S&P Global Commodity Insights and the West Africa Regulators Forum (WARF), would identify critical infrastructure gaps.

The Chief Executive, NMDPRA, Malam Rabiu Umar, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, last Thursday,

said that the conference would also attract strategic investments and establish a credible African petroleum price benchmark.

Umar, who is also the WARF Chairman, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening Africa’s refining and downstream petroleum value chain while supporting the emergence of a transparent and competitive regional pricing and trading hub.

Umar, who is also WARF Chairman, said it would bring together regulators, investors, financial institutions and industry leaders to develop practical solutions for financing critical infrastructure and logistics.

“Regulators provide the framework that enables fair competition, market transparency, investor confidence, consumer protection, and regional cooperation.

“They also work to harmonise standards and facilitate cross-border trade.

“Efficient markets require efficient infrastructure, Investments in pipelines, storage terminals, ports, rail systems, road networks, refineries, and digital trading platforms, reduced supply costs, improved energy security and enhanced regional integration.

“Improved infrastructure and market efficiency can reduce supply disruptions, lower logistics costs, encourage competition, and support more reliable access to petroleum products across the region,” he said.

According to him, energy markets extended beyond national borders adding that working together enables countries to optimise infrastructure, improve market efficiency, reduce duplication, and strengthen regional energy security,” he said.

He said discussions would also explore the establishment of a credible African reference price benchmark that could reflect regional market realities and promote transparent pricing mechanisms.

Oil & Energy

Renewable Energy’s Indispensable To Nigeria’s Future – REAN

Published

52 minutes ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

President of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Ayo Ademilua, says renewable energy has become indispensable to the country’s future energy mix and called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector to unlock the immense opportunities within the industry.

Ademilua made the remark while speaking at the just concluded Two – Day Solar & Storage Live Nigeria 2026 Conference, held in Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Head of Communications, REAN, Ms Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, and made available to newsmen, at the weekend, Ademilua described Nigeria’s renewable energy sector as being at a defining moment.

Ademilua said the next phase of Nigeria’s energy transition must prioritise local manufacturing, affordable financing, technical capacity development, innovation, quality assurance and an enabling policy environment that encourages long-term private sector investment.

REAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Motunrayo Akinfala, the statement said, insisted that while Nigeria has made notable progress in renewable energy policy, the industry must now shift its focus towards implementation.

“The time has come for us to move from talk to action. We have held the conversations, developed policies and built strong partnerships. Our priority now must be accelerating implementation, mobilising investment, supporting local businesses, enforcing quality standards and delivering reliable clean energy solutions that positively impact millions of Nigerians,” she said.

According to the statement, Akinfala coordinated the Association’s extensive engagement throughout the conference, ensuring effective stakeholder participation, strategic partnerships and seamless execution of REAN’s activities as the conference’s Official Partner. City& Local Guides

As the leading renewable energy industry association, REAN said it is committed to a continued close working relationship with government, regulators, investors, development partners and its growing membership to champion policies and initiatives that expand energy access, stimulate investment, create jobs and support Nigeria’s transition to a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future.

The event is a global conference & exhibition, where leaders from government, industry, development finance institutions and the private sector came together at the Landmark Event Centre to identify practical solutions for expanding renewable energy across the country.

Bringing together key decision-makers from across the energy ecosystem, the conference created an opportunity for stakeholders to move beyond discussions on energy access and focus on building a stronger renewable energy market capable of powering industries, creating jobs and supporting economic development.

The statement further revealed that throughout the two-day event, policymakers, regulatory agencies, development partners, financial institutions, leading renewable energy companies and participants, examined the major issues pertinent to the future of the sector with conversations centred on attracting long-term investment, fiscal incentives and local content, expanding state electricity markets, increasing access to finance, strengthening local manufacturing, developing the skilled workforce required to support the industry’s continued growth, product quality assurance and the growing role of battery storage in meeting Nigeria’s increasing electricity demand.

Participants also underscored the urgent need to eliminate substandard solar products from the Nigerian market through stronger regulatory

enforcement, certification systems, installer competency and increased consumer awareness.

The conference concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to deepen collaboration, strengthen policy implementation and create a more enabling business environment that will accelerate renewable energy deployment across Nigeria.

Oil & Energy

NGLPP: FG Targets 5m Households By 2030

Published

52 minutes ago

August 3, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has launched the State-Level Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder distribution programme targeting not less than 5 million Nigerian households by the year 2030.

The programme under the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme (NGLPP) was created to transform Nigerian households through secure access to clean, affordable gas for cooking and economic growth.

In a press release signed by the Lead Technology / Media Relations, Decade of Gas Secretariat, Edu V Antai, and made available to journalists, the federal government made the launch in Bayelsa state, with the distribution of free 3 kg cylinders to households in the eight local government areas of the state.

Delivering his Keynote Address at the launch in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government aimed at accelerating the adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a clean cooking fuel across Nigeria.

He said the programme seeks to improve access to cleaner energy, enhance public health, reduce environmental degradation associated with traditional cooking fuels, promote women’s empowerment, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities across the country.

Ekpo stated “This occasion is not merely an event; it is a landmark moment in our collective journey towards cleaner energy, healthier homes, and a more prosperous nation.

“By taking this pioneering step, Bayelsa State has earned a distinguished place in history as the launch state for this transformative national initiative.

“At the heart of this programme lies a simple but powerful conviction: that the promise of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas must translate into dignity, safety, and improved wellbeing for our people.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Coordinating Director, Decade of Gas Initiative, ED Ubong, said the key pillars of the programme were to ensure that between now and 2030, 5 million homes move to using cooking gas, which translates to 1 million homes a year and 27,000 households in Bayelsa.

Ubong explained that Bayelsa was deliberately selected as the pilot state owing to its trademark as the birthplace of Nigeria’s petroleum industry and home to Africa’s largest gas processing plant.

He noted that the programme’s sustainable design featuring cylinder recirculation, digital monitoring, safety education and structured refill support would ensure long-term adoption of LPG across the nation.

Speaking, the Bayelsà State Governor, Douye Diri, while appreciating the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led Federal Government, emphasised the positive impact the programme would have on the state’s residents, particularly those who have long endured challenges related to environmental degradation and economic disparities.

Diri insisted that the collaborative efforts of the federal and state governments, partners, and sponsors remain instrumental in driving positive change as well as improving the lives of Nigerians through sustainable energy solutions.

On his part, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, commended the programme’s innovative ideas, even the barcode- enabled digital monitoring system, describing them as critical to sustainability, safety and consumer confidence.

Umar stressed that the programme’s target of 1 million households annually and 5 million households by 2030 aligns with Nigeria’s objective of increasing domestic LPG consumption to 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to ensuring LPG remains safe, available and affordable.

With the successful launch in Bayelsa state, the actual Grassroots LPG penetration programme would continue it’s nationwide state- by- state rollout with Delta state scheduled to be the next.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu