The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says it has revived the Warri Refinery with the re-streaming of the plant’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).
Warri Refinery
The NNPC Ltd. said the restreaming of the CDU on Monday, December 30, 2024, marked the beginning of the gradual start-up of the refinery following its successful rehabilitation.
The NNPC Ltd. in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said it had delivered on its promise to revive the Warri Refinery by the end of 2024.
Speaking at a tour of the Warri Refinery Complex in Ekpan, Delta State, the Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), Mr Chu Efifia, explained that the CDU was successfully re-streamed.
Effia said the plant had commenced the production of petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), Household Kerosene (HHK), Naphtha, and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).
Giving further details about the production status of the refinery, the Managing Director said the plant was currently processing 75,000 barrels per day (bpd) which translated to 60 per cent of installed capacity.
He said that the plant was currently producing 2.9 million litres of diesel, 1.9 million litres of kerosene and 4.9 million litres of fuel oil.
He added that the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, will follow in the days ahead as other units of the refinery come on stream.
Highlighting its significance, Mr Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., said it was the beginning of Nigeria’s journey to becoming a net producer and exporter of refined petroleum products.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, NNPC Ltd., Chief Pius Akinyelure, also expressed satisfaction with the development, adding that soon Nigeria would exit petroleum products importation and become a net exporter.
Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), congratulated NNPC Ltd. on the feat.
Ahmed said that, with the coming on stream of more refineries, there would be more competition in the market.
He said that this would in turn force down the pump price of petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
The 125,000-bpd capacity Warri Refinery was commissioned in 1978.
It was shut down for rehabilitation in 2021 with Daewoo Engineering as the EPC contractor.
Before now, Christmas for Mr. Sanmi Olatunde, a staffer of an Ibadan-based private organisation, used to be a funfair with lots of sharing and caring for family members, friends, and relatives.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun
However, the 2024 Christmas was quietly celebrated due to Olatunde’s low economic purchasing power.
He reminisced what used to be, noting that the economy was challenging but for God’s grace.
Aside from the effects of global economic hardship, the nation’s economy also experienced some critical challenges in 2024.
Such challenges include high inflation rates, fiscal deficit, exchange rate depreciation, and high interest rates.
Others are the rising cost of food, the cost of operations and the challenging business environment.
Like many other Nigerians, Olatunde prayed and hoped the nation’s economy would be better in 2025 than the year under review.
“You know how high the prices of things are. I can remember this time last year. I know what I did for people, but in 2024, it is just God’s grace.
“There are so many things we can’t even get up to, but we are just trying to do our best. I don’t pray to experience anything like 2024 again,” he said.
However, he sounded optimistic as petrol prices per litre have started declining, hoping it would continue to have ripple effects on other goods and services.
“Yes, in fact, this December, I can see that prices of some items are coming down, but we hope that 2025 will be a year of better things.
“This is because I believe the moment fuel prices come down, other things will, definitely, come down.
“So, we are hoping that 2025 will be a better year than 2024,” Olatunde said.
Another respondent, a civil servant, Mr Olugbenga Adeyemi, said things were a little bit difficult and stressful in his family in 2024.
According to him, the family employed different coping techniques to adjust to the situation.
“We have adjusted to going out without a car.
“We now realise that it is not every time we need to go out with the car because of fuel,” Adeyemi said.
He, however, hoped the relief brought by the recent decline in petrol prices would not be short-lived.
According to him, the rate at which the price was increased cannot be the same rate at which it will be reduced.
Another respondent, Mrs Olajumoke Ogunmuyiwa, blessed God for making things easy for her despite the economic hardship.
“It is a delight to see petrol prices crashing, and I hope it will further reduce in the coming year for things to be better than 2024,” she said.
A financial consultant, Mr Adetunji Adepeju, said living costs in 2024, in terms of food prices, accommodation, housing and transportation, were outrageous.
“I will say this is caused by the fluctuating and increasing exchange rates, which has serious effects on oil prices, until recently when petrol prices started to come down.
“It’s good to buy petrol for N950 to N990 per litre compared to the earlier months.
“Unfortunately, the price of food has not come down.
“For those fond of eating rice, a 50 kg bag of rice, which should be sold for N50,000 is now sold at N105,000.
“But, again, for the common people like me, I will say, at least, the cost of garri and other few items came down between November and December,” Adepeju said.
The consultant noted things were generally tough in 2024, but with government policies, as captured in the budget, 2025 looked bright.
“The security situation is improving; some farmers are back to their farms, now having some crops available.
“By the middle or by the first quarter of 2025, some of the crops should have been harvested, thus food prices will come down.
“This is provided the traders and middlemen do not still go ahead with the way of just making things tough for people,” Adepeju said.
He said he was optimistic that petrol prices would still go down, reducing the cost of transportation and subsequently, food prices and other things.
The financial expert said things would improve if Nigerians were prudent and learnt to manage their finances.
Adepeju called for more transparency from state and local governments.
“For me, with the exchange rate projection of N1,500 to a dollar, and with an increase in the oil production to about 3.06 million barrels per day, we should fetch money into the federal accounts.
“If we have less corruption, or people are made to account for whatever comes to them, especially the state and local governments, many things should change positively.
“I appeal to the state and local governments to, please, do the needful, because the federal government, for one indication, has been trying to support the subnationals,” he said.
Adepeju, referring to the Borne State governor for acknowledging whatever came from the federal government, said South-West governors should do the same.
Another financial expert, Mr. Sola Famakinwa, observed that the economy had improved from its downward spiral early in the year.
He says some government policies and reforms from mid-2024 are game changers.
According to him, while the nation’s inflation rate has decreased in recent months, it’s still high.
“Its effect is not yet fully felt by most Nigerians as it has adversely affected every sector of the economy.
“With the low purchasing power, I will say that people are adjusting to the reality of the economy because of the kind of life many Nigerians live – we are adjusting ourselves,” Famakinwa said.
The expert observed the economy had now turned in the right direction, especially with the policies implemented in the last quarter of 2024.
“This will surely set a good tone for the first quarter of next year.
“If you look at the budget proposal that was presented; infrastructure and education were the priority of the federal government, which is at the bedrock of any economy that can bring progress to us as a nation.
“If the tax reform that the federal government has also put in place flies by the grace of God next year, most of the businesses will bounce back,” Famakinwa said.
An Economic Expert, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, says the coming on stream of more refineries in the country is expected to crash the prices of petroleum products.
Dangote Refinery
Ekechukwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Dignity Finance and Investment Ltd. said this on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in an interview in Abuja.
According to him, this is in view of the re-streaming of the Warri Refinery.
Ekechukwu, who was sceptical on speaking about the functionality of the Warri Refinery due to recent controversy and criticism surrounding the workability of the Port Harcourt Refinery, however, observed that there would be free market economy.
The Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Warri, Delta State, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), commenced operations on Monday, after years of being moribund.
The 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery, which was currently operating at 60 per cent of installed capacity, resumed operations after the NNPC Ltd. restarted the 60,000-bpd old Port Harcourt Refinery in November.
Though the prices of petroleum products had been staggering, but recently, Dangote Refinery reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its loading gantry, to sell at N935 per litre at retail outlets nationwide.
The NNPC Ltd. had also announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of PMS from N1,020 to N899 per litre, which is expected to trigger price war among marketers.
The expert, while reacting to the awaited industry competition and economic potency of the coming on stream of Warri, Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries in the country, foresaw more innovations.
“Free market economy means that there should be free entry and free exit. It also brings competition and prices of goods and services lower.
“That is what competition does. In fact, more refineries should come on board, and that will force the prices lower in the long run.
“It leads to more innovations, better quality and standards.
“That is what the existence of the refineries will bring on the table of downstream oil marketing in Nigeria.
“With the Dangote Refinery, Port Harcourt, Warri refineries and other modular refineries coming on stream, we are better for it as a country and as an economy,” he said.
He however said that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would also be enhanced while more employments would be created.
The Warri plant will focus on producing and storing critical products such as Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), Household Kerosene (HHK), Naphtha, and Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).
The plant, which is currently processing 75,000 barrels bpd which translates to 60 per cent of installed capacity, produces 2.9 million litres of diesel, 1.9 million litres of kerosene and 4.9 million litres of fuel oil.
The production of PMS, known as fuel, will follow in the days ahead as other units of the refinery come on stream.
The 125,000-bpd capacity Warri Refinery was commissioned in 1978.
It was shut down for rehabilitation in 2021 with Daewoo Engineering as the EPC contractor.
Some stakeholders in the mining sector have commended the Federal Government for reversing the five-year ban on mineral exploration activities in Zamfara State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake
The stakeholders made the commendation in separate interviews on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in Abuja.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, recently announced the reversal of the ban on mining exploration in Zamfara, citing significant improvement of security situation in the state
The Federal Government banned all forms of mining exploration activities in Zamfara in 2019, following alarming reports of banditry and its link to illegal mining.
Mr. Dele Ayankele, the National President, Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), thanked the minister for the move, explaining that the ban deprived government of accruable revenues.
Ayankele stated that insecurity and banditry, which led to the ban, had also resulted in unnecessary budgetary allocations being wasted to maintain peace in the area.
“This is not to talk of unquantifiable losses to the mining lease holders in Zamfara, who might have lost their titles due to non-remittances of appropriate fees and levies as at when due.
“Also, holders may have experienced the inability to service loans and its attendant piling debts, rotten equipment, loss of manpower and social embarrassments due to inability to service family livelihoods,” he said.
He commended the minster of solid minerals on efforts leading to the ban reversal.
According to him, the effectiveness of the move will be determined by the measures put in place to sustain the security recorded in the state.
He acknowledged the determination of the minister to secure mining sites across the country, particularly through inter-ministerial collaborations.
“All these will be unveiled early in the coming year, as lease holders attempt to resume mining operations,“ he said.
Similarly, Patrick Odiegwu, the Secretary of the Association of Miners and Processors of Barite (AMABOP), described the reversal as a step in the right direction and a welcome development.
He stated that continous suspension of economic activities could lead to more insecurity, as the residents in the affected areas might become idle and resort to unlawful means to sustain themselves.
According to Odiegwu, government should consolidate on the reversal by leveraging advance technology to secure mining areas and beyond.
He explained that analog security measures may not be effective in addressing insecurity compared to a modern monitoring system that incorporates artificial intelligence.
“If we want to apply guns towards securing our environment, we will continue to have insecurity. If we apply technology, huge artificial intelligence, robotics, you don’t even need to loss one soldier.
“Government has the capacity to monitor everybody in Nigeria, individually, if such system is available,” he said.
He emphasised that proactive measures were necessary to keep bandits on the run and maintain the peace that had been established.
The 10 most financially costly climate disasters of 2024 all had an impact of more than $4 billion (€3.8 billion), according to a new report.
A hurricane slams into West Coast of Florida. Photo credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The research by the charity Christian Aid found that Europe accounted for three of the top ten costliest disasters, with Storm Boris in central Europe and floods in Spain and Germany.
Most of the estimates are based only on insured losses, meaning the true financial costs are likely to be even higher, while the human costs are often uncounted, the organisation says.
The report also highlights 10 extreme weather events that didn’t rack up big enough insured losses to make the top 10 but were just as devastating and often affected millions of people.
These included several events in poorer countries where many people don’t have insurance and where data is less readily available.
“This report is a sobering reminder that climate change cannot be ignored and in fact will get much worse until we do something to stop it,” says Joanna Haigh, Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Imperial College London.
“Politicians who downplay the urgency of the climate crisis only serve to harm their own people and cause untold suffering around the world.”
World’s costliest climate disaster occurred in the US
The report found that the US bore the brunt of the costliest climate disasters in 2024, with October’s Hurricane Milton topping the list as the single biggest one-off event at $60 billion (€57.5 billion) in damage and 25 deaths.
Hurricane Helene, which struck the US, Cuba and Mexico in September, was next at $55 billion (€53 billion) and 232 deaths.
In fact, the US was hit by so many costly storms throughout the year that even when hurricanes were removed, the other convective storms cost more than $60 billion (€57.5 billion) in damages and killed 88 people.
No part of the world was spared from crippling climate disasters in 2024. Floods in China cost $15.6 billion (€15 billion) and killed 315 people.
Typhoon Yagi battered southwest Asia, killing more than 800 people. Yagi made landfall on September 2 in the Philippines before moving on to Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, where it triggered landslides and flash flooding and damaged hundreds of thousands of homes and agricultural land.
Europe suffered three of the world’s 10 costliest climate disasters
Europe accounted for three of the top ten costliest disasters, with Storm Boris in central Europe and floods in Spain and Germany costing a combined $13.87 billion (€13.5 billion). These events killed 258 people – 226 of which were in Valencia’s floods in October.
The UK didn’t make the list this year, but in December, the Environment Agency warned that a quarter of properties in England (some eight million) could be at risk of flooding by 2050 due to climate change.
Climate disasters cost poorer nations less but were just as devastating
While the top 10 focuses on financial costs – which are usually higher in richer countries because they have higher property values and can afford insurance – some of the most devastating extreme weather events in 2024 hit poorer nations.
Many of these are also countries which have contributed little to causing the climate crisis and have the least resources to respond.
These included Cyclone Chido, which devastated the islands of Mayotte in December and may have killed more than a thousand people.
A severe drought in Colombia saw parts of the Amazon River drop by 90 per cent, threatening the livelihoods of Indigenous peoples who rely on it for food and transport.
Heatwaves affected 33 million people in Bangladesh while also worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
West Africa was hit with terrible floods that affected more than 6.6 million people in Nigeria, Chad and Niger. In southern Africa, the worst drought in living memory affected more than 14 million people in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Christian Aid says these extreme events highlight the need for more urgent action to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. It also underlines the importance of providing funding for vulnerable people.
“The human suffering caused by the climate crisis reflects political choices,” says Christian Aid CEO, Patrick Watt.
“Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels and to allow emissions to rise. In 2025, we need to see governments leading and taking action to accelerate the green transition, reduce emissions, and fund their promises.”
He adds that while the transition to a global economy powered by renewables is “inevitable”, the question is whether it will move fast enough to protect the poorest people.
“These terrible climate disasters are a warning sign of what is to come if we do not accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels,” he says.
“They also show the urgent need for adaptation measures, especially in the global South, where resources are especially stretched, and people are most vulnerable to extreme weather events.”
Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State on Monday, December 30, 2024, presented cheques worth N3 billion to 2,381 direct beneficiaries of Community Revolving Fund of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in the state.
The distribution of the ACReSAL community revolving funds is the second phase, with the first phase carried out in June, in partnership with the World Bank Group.
Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi State
The beneficiaries from 80 communities of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state were classified in over 170 groups.
Presenting the cheques to the various groups at the Lugard House, Lokoja, Ododo said the community revolving fund was in line with his administration’s commitment to ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices.
Ododo assured that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for the success and sustenance of the ACReSAL project in the state.
“This gesture is in furtherance of the development agenda of this administration to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management.
“It’s also to strengthen the long-term framework for integrated climate resilience landscape management and effective agricultural practices across communities in our councils.”
He urged the benefiting groups and communities to utilise the funds with diligence and to demonstrate ability to ensure that other members of the community continued to benefit from the project.
The governor, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising sustainable agriculture practice and for his unwavering commitment to enhancing welfare of families in all parts of Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Mr Joseph Oluwasegun, said the community revolving fund sought to place Kogi on the map of states where food security and sufficiency are guaranteed in Nigeria.
Earlier in her address, the State Coordinator of AcreSal, Mrs Ladi Ahmed-Jatto, said the community revolving fund is an interest-free investment fund which began in June, with over 2,381 direct beneficiaries.
Ahmed-Jatto explained that the second phase of the disbursement is a justification of the effective utilisation of the first phase and the overall performance of the state government as adjudged by the World Bank Task Team.
She stated that the fund remained a loan from the World Bank under guaranteed repayment by the state government.
She urged the beneficiaries to make best use of the funds for the growth and development of the state.
Mangroves are critical ecosystems in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation. In Nigeria, these unique forests are predominantly found in some coastal states.
As climate change exacerbates environmental challenges, Nigeria must recognise and enhance the importance of mangroves as nature-based solutions.
Mangrove exploitation. Photo credit: Jerry Chidi
In this article, I will discuss strategies for fostering these ecosystems, present recommendations for the Nigerian government, and highlight international collaborations.
Mangroves serve as a buffer between land and sea, protecting coastlines from erosion and storm surges. They also provide habitat for numerous species, including fish, birds, and crustaceans, which are crucial for the local fishing economy.
Furthermore, mangroves act as carbon sinks, sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide and thus contributing to mitigating climate change.
In Nigeria, the degradation of mangrove ecosystems threatens biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Despite their ecological importance, Nigeria’s mangrove forests have suffered severe degradation due to urbanisation, oil spills, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
According to the Nigerian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the country has lost approximately 70% of its mangrove cover over the past few decades. This loss impacts biodiversity and exacerbates the vulnerability of coastal communities to climate impacts.
To foster the importance of mangroves, the Nigerian government should prioritise awareness campaigns and educational programmes. Collaborating with local communities, NGOs, and educational institutions can ensure that the public understands the ecological and economic benefits of mangroves.
Programmes could include workshops, school curriculums, and community outreach initiatives aimed at promoting conservation efforts.
The Nigerian government must strengthen its legal frameworks to protect mangroves from exploitation. This includes enforcing existing environmental laws and creating new regulations that specifically address mangrove conservation.
Additionally, involving local communities in the decision-making process can empower them to take ownership of mangrove protection efforts.
Restoration of degraded mangrove areas is essential for rejuvenating these ecosystems. The government can collaborate with international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to implement restoration projects.
These initiatives should focus on native species replanting, community involvement, and monitoring the health of restored areas.
Integrating mangrove conservation into national climate policies can enhance their role as nature-based solutions. The Nigerian government should prioritise mangroves in its climate action plans and seek funding from international partners.
Programmes like the Green Climate Fund can provide financial resources for projects aimed at conserving and restoring mangrove ecosystems, and the Small Grants Programme can also be a successful solution in boosting mangrove initiatives across the countries.
International collaborations can provide technical expertise and funding for mangrove conservation in Nigeria. Partnerships artnerships with organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) can facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best practices in mangrove management. These collaborations can also enhance Nigeria’s visibility in global environmental discussions.
Engaging local communities in mangrove conservation is crucial for sustainable management. The government should support community-led initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods while protecting mangrove ecosystems. These initiatives can include ecotourism, sustainable fishing practices, and alternative livelihood programs that reduce pressure on mangrove resources.
Establishing a robust monitoring system to assess the health of mangrove ecosystems is vital. The Nigerian government can collaborate with research institutions to conduct studies on mangrove biodiversity, carbon storage, and the socio-economic benefits of mangroves. This data can inform policy-making and conservation strategies, ensuring that efforts are evidence-based.
Fostering the importance of mangroves in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that involves awareness, legal reform, restoration, community engagement, and international collaboration. By prioritising these strategies, the Nigerian government can significantly enhance the ecological and economic benefits of mangroves across the nine coastal states.
Protecting mangroves is not just an environmental necessity; it is a pathway to sustainable development and climate resilience for Nigeria.
To implement these strategies effectively, the following recommendations are proposed:
Launch nationwide awareness campaigns about the importance of mangroves.
Strengthen legal frameworks to protect mangrove ecosystems.
Initiate restoration projects in collaboration with international organisations.
Integrate mangrove conservation into national climate policies.
Foster community engagement in conservation efforts.
Establish a monitoring system for mangrove health and biodiversity.
Nigeria can lead the way in utilising nature-based solutions to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development
In a bid to guarantee supply security at affordable prices for its customers, Ardova Plc, one of Nigeria’s major integrated downstream oil and gas businesses, has agreed to a bulk purchase framework with Dangote Refinery.
This framework will see Ardova Plc offtake a full slate of petroleum products from the refinery.
Ardova Plc petrol filling station
While Ardova Plc has been a significant offtaker from the refinery since its inception, this new framework will institutionalise a more robust relationship between the two companies to further enhance the emerging competitive landscape in the downstream oil and gas industry in the country.
This framework is in line with President Tinubu’s drive for competition and improved efficiency in the industry and will see Ardova Plc deliver products at competitive prices nationwide.
An indigenous and integrated energy company involved in the distribution of petroleum products, Ardova Plc operates an extensive network of over 700 retail outlets in Nigeria and significant storage facilities in Apapa, Lagos State, Onne, Rivers State, and Oghara, Delta State.
Apart from procuring and distributing petrol (PMS), diesel (AGO), kerosene (DPK) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the company’s services also involve the manufacturing and distribution of a wide range of lubricants from it’s oil blending plant in Apapa, Lagos. These lubricants include: Super V, Visco 2000 and Diesel Motor Oil.
The Federal Government has announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy to achieve its target of 3 million barrels per day (bpd) in crude oil production by 2025.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, flagging off the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, December 30, 2024
Nigeria’s current output stands at approximately 1.8 million bpd, a significant increase from the 1.4 million bpd recorded in 2023.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known during the launch of the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II (OPDS II) in Port Harcourt on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Lokpobiri noted that the initial phase of OPDS, launched on Jan. 10, had contributed to the improved production figures, prompting the Nigerian Navy to proceed with the second phase.
“In August 2023, Nigeria’s daily crude oil production was barely a million bpd. Currently, the nation produces about 1.8 million bpd.
“Our target is to reach 3 million bpd by 2025, and we are confident that the second phase of OPDS will play a key role in achieving this milestone,” Lokpobiri said.
He emphasised the pivotal role of the Nigerian Navy in ensuring security, stating that it would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to combat oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Despite these efforts, Lokpobiri, expressed concern about the persistent sabotage of the Trans Niger Pipeline.
“The Trans Niger Pipeline remains a major challenge, with criminals breaking into pipelines to siphon crude oil.
“However, the Nigerian Navy has pledged to intensify its efforts to protect these national assets, building on its successes in 2024,” he remarked.
The minister underscored the broader implications of curbing oil theft, highlighting the potential for increased government revenue and enhanced allocations to states and local governments.
He called on security agencies, maritime contractors, traditional rulers, and local youths to support the navy’s efforts.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, expressed optimism about the feasibility of reaching the 3 million bpd production target.
He stated that Operation Delta Sanity was specifically designed to address oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other maritime crimes, ensuring a secure environment for legitimate operations.
“The initial phase of the OPDS led to numerous arrests of vessels and oil thieves, as well as the dismantling of several illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta.
“These measures resulted in significant improvements in legitimate maritime activities and boosted crude oil production, with several oil companies reporting 100 per cent terminal factor,” Ogalla stated.
In spite of these successes, Ogalla explained that the navy saw the need to refine the operation to achieve even better outcomes.
“Rejigging the operation involves deploying newly acquired maritime domain awareness infrastructure, attack helicopters, armed drones, and enhanced intelligence-gathering systems.
“We are also incorporating non-kinetic approaches and strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders to sustain and increase crude oil production beyond 2 million bpd, as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
Ogalla expressed confidence that OPDS II would further stabilise oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta by 2025.
Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, provided details of the accomplishments during the first phase of OPDS.
He reported the arrest of 215 suspects, the destruction of 468 illegal refineries, and the seizure of about 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of adulterated diesel.
“In addition, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks were deactivated, while 26 vessels were apprehended, among others,” Akinwande concluded.
Global childhood hunger rose significantly in 2024, with 18.2 million children born into food insecurity, according to a new Save the Children analysis of U.N. data.
Inaaya, 17 months after receiving malnutrition treatment, getting checked for SAM and MAM at a Save the Children Clinic
The figure represents approximately 35 children per minute and marks a 5% increase from 2023.
The total is 19% higher than the 15.3 million recorded in 2019 when progress on reducing childhood hunger began to stagnate.
Conflict zones, displacement, and extreme weather have contributed to declining child nutrition worldwide.
Countries facing the risk of famine or catastrophic food insecurity include South Sudan, Haiti, Mali and Sudan, where famine-level malnutrition affects half of the country’s 18 states.
The Democratic Republic of Congo reported the highest number of undernourished newborns at 1.6 million among nations where at least 20% of the population faces hunger.
Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, recorded 1.4 million babies born into hunger.
“Hunger knows no boundaries. It erodes childhoods, drains children’s energy and risks robbing them of their futures,” said Hannah Stephenson, Global Head of Hunger and Nutrition at Save the Children.
In Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, 28-year-old Uzma struggles to feed her five children on her husband’s small shop income.
Her 17-month-old daughter is malnourished, and she recently gave birth to twins.
“Sometimes, our older boys don’t get as much food as they need or the most nutritious meals,” Uzma told aid workers.
“As a mother, it hurts deeply to see my children go without.”
Madagascar, despite its smaller population, reported approximately 400,000 babies born into hunger.
Local mother Genie described feeding her six-month-old daughter Aina only twice daily due to financial constraints.
The organisation urges world leaders to address root causes of food insecurity by reducing conflicts, addressing climate change, and strengthening health and nutrition systems.
They also call for increased investment in early response planning to prevent predictable emergencies from escalating into crises.
A separate November warning indicated potential famine conditions in northern Gaza, with 345,000 people across the region at risk of catastrophic hunger in coming months, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.
Note: Some names have been changed to protect privacy
