Adeleye Falade, MD, NLNG, (centre); Olakunle Osobu, Deputy MD (right) receive Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adepoju during a courtesy visit to NLNG‘s Corporate Head Office, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Adeleye Falade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, has commended the Rivers State Police Command for its efforts in safeguarding critical national assets and maintaining security around NLNG’s operations and key infrastructure. He described the Command as being consistently professional, operationally disciplined, and deeply committed to ensuring safety and security across Rivers State.

Falade gave the commendation while receiving the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and his team during a courtesy visit to the Corporate Head Office of NLNG in Port Harcourt on Monday.

During the visit, he recognised the Police’s pivotal role in securing NLNG’s critical operations, particularly the Train 7 project and the Bonny–Bodo Road corridor, and noted that their proactive efforts in safeguarding lives, property, and key infrastructure is appreciated. He highlighted the need for enhanced security collaboration as the forthcoming commissioning and official opening of the Bonny–Bodo Road will reshape access to Bonny Island and present new opportunities for the people of Rivers State.

“With increased access to Bonny Island, we need a broader conversation on how to preserve the safety of our people and assets. As long as our operations remain secure and uninterrupted, the benefits will continue to extend across the state and the nation, he said.

In his remarks, Adepoju reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with NLNG, highlighting the company’s strategic importance to Rivers State and the national economy. He assured of the command’s readiness to respond effectively to security concerns through established operational structures.

“NLNG remains a pride of Rivers State and a key pillar of Nigeria’s economy. Our teams are ready to act promptly on any security concerns, with systems in place for rapid response,” he said.

Also present during the visit was the Deputy Managing Director of NLNG, Olakunle Osobu, alongside other members of the management team.

The Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr. Tony Attah has predicted that many indigenous oil and gas operators in Nigeria will within the next decade consolidate strategically and form consortiums to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

He delivered a presentation at the Nigerian Content Academy Lecture, entitled “Finding Funds for Effective and Efficient Local Content Initiatives – IPPG Perspective,” and projected that “five big Nigerian independent oil companies will emerge in the next 10 years in Nigeria. The future of this industry and business in the world is about collaboration.”

He lauded the significant growth in the operational and funding capacities of indigenous operating companies, resulting in their successful acquisition and operation of fields recently divested by some international operating companies (IOCs).

He observed that “when IOCs leave matured basins in other climes, international independents take over from them. But Nigerian independents take over in Nigeria. That transition is showing value today. More than 50 percent of Nigerian crude oil production is associated with independents. I see a future where more Nigerian independents would have to consolidate. Renaissance here, Seplat is here. The consolidation would have to be among the others to create the other three or five.”

He shared insight on the successful formation of Renaissance Energy by a consortium of four Nigerian, and one international companies namely ND Western Limited; Aradel Energy Limited; Waltersmith Petroleum Development Company Limited; First Exploration and Petroleum Development Limited; and Petrolin Trading Limited. He attributed the success of the deal to enduring collaboration, tenacity and ambition among the founding companies.

Engr. Attah, a former Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) also outlined veritable funding mechanisms which players in the African energy sector could deploy to navigate global funding and operational challenges.

He dwelt exhaustively on Capital Markets/Stock Exchange Listing; Private Equity and Eurobond; Strategic Partnerships/Joint Venture Structures and International Oil Company (IOC) Carry Arrangements; Prepayment/Offtake Financing, and Bank Facility.

He underscored the need for “Bankability Criteria,” under which he listed proven reserves, financial covenant (minimum coverage ratio over the loan life), governance and transparency, stable production profile, hedging strategy (robust hedging to protect against downside price risk), operator track record, and proven Health Safety and Environment (HSE), uptime, and production execution track record.

He disclosed that industry players need an operational mindset anchored on a creedal mantra – ABC (Ambition, Belief (in that Ambition) and Courage) – as they set about exploring the different funding mechanisms available. He noted that “finding a solution to funding gaps is a big opportunity in itself,” while encouraging industry players to ensure that their organisations have structure, guarantee, and system.

He advised all indigenous players to guard against weak business models, excessive focus on projected profits, and weak balance sheets. “Without structure, governance and ambition, nobody will finance you,” he stated.

The Renaissance CEO expressed appreciation for the emergence of the African Energy Bank, established by the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), with significant financial backing by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), but called for more of similar initiatives, stating that the Bank is yet to attain the level of financial capability to meet the continent’s industry funding requirements.

“Accelerating Africa’s energy financing is a challenge,” he noted, pointing out that “equity financing is not everything,” and that the industry operator has to be clear about what he is also bringing into the business. His belief is that Africa needs to do business with Africa.

Engr. Attah declared that local content in Nigeria is “no longer a policy aspiration; it is a capital execution challenge,” while urging indigenous players to embrace the ABC creed and work toward achieving targets for growth and expansion, bearing in mind that “without adequate funding, newly acquired assets will under-invest.” According to him, “You need the mindset of creating value; money will come,” as “capital follows value.”

In the Question-and-Answer segment, the former Director of the Nigerian Content Academy, Dr. Ama Ikuru, remarked that independents (indigenous upstream operators) have been remiss in fulfilling their obligations to their vendors, repeatedly failing to pay them when due. To that, Engr. Attah responded by advising independents against acts that would diminish their brand. He urged them to always fulfill contractual obligations. “Your business will not grow if you keep owing,” he warned.

The former Vice Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and Executive Chairman of Radial Circle Group, Engr. Ranti Omole, inquired what Renaissance and other successful Independents could do to boost prospects of growth among service companies. The Guest Lecturer assured of rewarding business engagements.

Professor Babs Oyeniyi, who participated from Edinburgh, United Kingdom, wondered why Nigeria’s oil and gas industry appears stuck with old, retired industry employees, continually inviting them to provide critical services. Engr. Attah attributed the trend, which he described as worldwide, to shifting interests and attention as youths today are moving into areas of Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, and fewer and fewer technically competent hands in the country.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the General Manager, Nigerian Content Academy, NCDMB, Ms. Doris Opuwari, had noted that funding constraints have for so long constituted barriers to growth and expansion among indigenous players in the industry, expressing hope that the Guest Lecturer of the day, Engr. Attah was eminently qualified to point the way forward.

In a goodwill message/closing remarks, the Director, Corporate Services, NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, thanked Engr. Attah for a thoroughly researched and exhaustive work on the subject which he believed would be most beneficial to industry players. He also thanked the nearly 200 participants at the zoom event for their interest and sustained attention.

 Key Management staff of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Seplat Energy Plc met with principal officers of the Delta State University (DELSU), at Abraka, Delta State on Monday to deliberate on critical processes toward the take-off of a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development, approved for the institution by the Board in 2024.

The project, which is the latest among similar ones at Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, is the outcome of an NCDMB-commissioned research undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to provide a 10-year road map for research and development (R&D) for the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Corporate Services, of the NCDMB, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, who represented the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, recalled that personnel of the Board and Seplat have held a series of engagements since 2024 to ensure they achieved a scope that clearly outlined the essence of what a centre of excellence is supposed to deliver in terms of infrastructure, equipment, capacity development, research policy and most importantly, sustainability of the project.

He disclosed that the Managements of NCDMB and Seplat Energy have endorsed the scope and were ready for the take-off of the project, with a team of technical experts already assembled to manage the entire process. He reiterated that the Standing Committee of the Board that has been managing the project since conception has been further reinforced with the inclusion of new personnel of general manager cadre to ensure that expectations of the project are met.

“We wish to reassure you,” Dr. Halilu declared, that “the Executive Secretary is fully committed to the project, not just at the project development phase but even during execution,” and has accordingly deployed the full complement of staff covering quality assurance, research and development, and related operational units to achieve the best results.

In his own remarks, the Nigerian Content Manager of Seplat Energy, Mr. Simeon Ogari, said his company, which operates the 300 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) ANOH Gas Processing Plant, a 50/50 Joint Venture with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), chose Delta State University, Abraka, for the Centre of Excellence project because of its proximity to his company’s major operational base.

While underlining the commitment of the company’s Management to timely completion and sustenance, he pointed out that the Research Centre in Gas Development would be beneficial not only to the institution but to the oil and gas industry and the country at large as a centre for advanced research and technology incubation.

He, however, emphasised the importance of collaboration, pointing out that “There is nothing as good as looking at the Triple Helix Model,” as every research centre in the world has government, institution, and the private sector working together in critically important roles. He said he expected same for the upcoming Centre.

Giving the background to the project, the Chief Executive Officer of GOSHEN, the management firm in charge of the project, Mr. Leonard Okafor, noted that the research work undertaken by PricewaterhouseCooper showed that Nigeria is “operating an enclave economy,” without adequate intersectoral linkages, and that “there was need for entrenched local content in the oil and gas industry.” The Research Centre, he explained, was one of a number of initiatives designed to address the deficits.

The PwC research, he stated, also identified five areas where R&D would enhance local participation in the oil and gas industry, namely, Collaboration, Infrastructure, Capability, Commercial/Legal Framework, and Funding. He emphasised that “Finding the right collaboration is critical,” noting that academics with sound research backgrounds and who are well-published are particularly required for a project of this nature.

Explaining further what he titled as “Standard Requirements from Host Institutions,” the management consultant listed availability of research staff for secondment to [the Research] Centre, availability of non-research/administrative staff for secondment to the Centre, essential policy documents (Existing MoU for any existing research centre/collaboration between DELSU and other parties], Research Policy, and Finance and Procurement Policy).

In his own response, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, thanked NCDMB and Seplat for the world-class research facility they have decided to build at DELSU, assuring them that he would do his best to meet all requirements for successful take-off.

In regard to collaboration, he said the University, which was rated by Times Higher Education in 2026 as “The best state-owned university in Nigeria,” has very competent academics, renowned for their research output, to fulfil the requirement of collaboration. “In science and engineering, DELSU has high-flyers,” he declared.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Quality Assurance, of the NCDMB, Mr. Chris Osuji, said his department was involved in the project to ensure top-notch finishing. According to him, “From inception to completion, NCDMB Quality Assurance is to be actively engaged,” he stated.

In a vote of thanks, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, of the NCDMB, Mr. Silas Ajimijaye, expressed appreciation to Seplat for providing the required funding, while urging the University Management to use the project to etch its name in gold.

In a similar vein, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Professor Douglason Omotor, thanked NCDMB and Seplat for the initiative, while assuring that the project executors would find technically competent academics and seasoned administrators to provide effective collaboration.

Second from left: Abdul Umar, Manager, Government Relations, representing the GM, External Relations & Sustainable Development, NLNG, hands over the 2026 entries for the Nigeria Prize for Literature to the Advisory Board on Monday in Lagos, as the Chairman of the Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, receives the entries on behalf of the Board.

The 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature has entered the adjudication stage following the formal handover of 223 entries by NLNG to the Advisory Board and panel of judges in Lagos on Monday. The submission volume reflects a strong outing for the poetry category, broadly in line with recent cycles and demonstrating sustained participation from writers. While slightly below some peak years, the figure remains competitive, particularly when viewed alongside recent prose entries, underscoring continued interest in the Prize and reaffirming its significance within Nigeria’s literary landscape.

Speaking at the press conference, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, represented by Abdul Umar, Manager, Government Relations, NLNG, described the handover as the beginning of a rigorous and defining process that will ultimately determine this year’s winning work.

“This marks the start of a process that demands attention, patience, and sound judgement, and will ultimately determine the work that defines this year’s Prize,” she said.

This year’s $100,000 Prize, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, focuses on Poetry. Dr. Horsfall noted that the genre demands precision, depth, and clarity, with expectations shaped by the strong benchmark set in previous cycles, particularly the 2022 edition, which produced a winning work that continues to resonate within contemporary Nigerian literature.

She reaffirmed NLNG’s commitment to sustaining a credible platform that promotes literary excellence and contributes to national development through the arts.

“At NLNG, we have consistently provided a platform that supports excellence and inspires a sustainable future. Beyond recognising talent, the Prize has contributed to the growth of reading culture, encouraged discipline in writing, and strengthened Nigeria’s literary landscape,” she added.

Dr. Horsfall emphasised that the credibility of the Prize lies in the integrity of its adjudication process, which will involve months of detailed reading, evaluation, and deliberation, culminating in a longlist of eleven entries, a shortlist of three, and ultimately, the selection of a winner.

The entries were formally presented to the Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who in turn handed them over to the panel of judges for evaluation in line with established standards.

Speaking while receiving the entries, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo commended NLNG for its continued dedication to the Prize, noting that each edition reflects the evolving depth and diversity of Nigerian writing across genres.

She also acknowledged the writers whose submissions continue to sustain the Prize’s relevance and impact and urged the panel of judges to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and depth in selecting the winning entry.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored annually by NLNG, remains a flagship initiative in the company’s commitment to education, culture, and sustainable development, and continues to serve as a benchmark for literary excellence in Africa.