Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), one of the sponsors of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF), has commended it as a platform for driving change in Nigeria’s energy sector through the discussions that centre on business performance, cost discipline and process simplification.
Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Board of Trustees, Felix Chijioke Obike, and General Manager, Wells and Geosciences Operations, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Joe Mordi, during the 2025 SPE Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) in Abuja
“This event is special to the Shell brand, not only because of the nostalgia of Oloibiri but the quality of discourse it has enabled in our sector over the years,” SNEPCO Managing Director, Ronald Adams, said in a goodwill speech delivered by General Manager, Wells and Geosciences Operations, Joe Mordi.
He said: “We are grateful to the Society of Petroleum Engineers and our host the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for another successful outing.”
Organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum began in 1991, in commemoration of the country’s first commercial oil discovery by Shell at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956.
Adams said recent developments in the Upstream and Downstream sectors of the energy industry, including the $5-billion final investment decision by Shell in the Bonga North Deepwater project, echoed the sentiments around the first oil discovery.
He noted: “These strides come with a commitment to excellence required of us – for stakeholders, colleagues, our country and indeed, future generations. The theme for this year ‘Driving energy sustainability through technology, policy and supply chain excellence’ reflects this commitment. The future is bright, and we have the opportunity to co-create it.”
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has announced the appointment of prominent media personalities to its standing committees, aimed at promoting press freedom and responsible journalism in Nigeria.
IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed
The committees include Fundraising, Programming, Advocacy, and Membership, each comprising seasoned industry professionals.
Notable appointees include Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu; former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mrs. Funke Egbemode; former Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Mr Emma Agu; and former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye.
Committee Chairs and Members
Fundraising Committee
– Chair: Ms. Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE)
– Secretary: Alhaji Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations, The Nation
– Members:
– Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation
– Juliet Bumah, Editor, New Telegraph
– Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity
– Ken Ugbechie, publisher of Political Economist
– Victoria Ibanga, publisher of The Next Edition
– Olufunke Fadugba, Chairman of the Editorial Board of PenPushing Media
– Gbemiga Ogunleye, former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ)
Programming Committee
– Chair: Mr. Oladotun Oladipo, Managing Editor/CEO, Premium Eagle Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online
– Secretary: Hajia Sani, Director, Digital Media at Voice of Nigeria (VON)
– Members:
– Hajiya Zainab Suleiman Okino, Chairman Daily of the Editorial Board of Blueprint
– Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director at The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
– Catherine Agbo, Deputy Editor, 21st Century Chronicle
– Emma Agu, former Managing Director/CEO, Champion
– Ahmed I. Shekarau, CEO, Media Trust Group
Advocacy Committee
– Chair: Tobi Soniyi, Media Adviser to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)
The committees are tasked with key responsibilities:
– The Fundraising Committee will plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising activities to support IPI Nigeria’s programs.
– The Programming Committee will design initiatives and develop compelling programs aligned with IPI Nigeria’s objectives.
– The Advocacy Committee will provide strategic direction for IPI Nigeria’s advocacy efforts, promoting press freedom and engaging with public officials on key policy issues.
– The Membership Committee will focus on attracting new members, assessing applicants’ qualifications, and enhancing member engagement.
IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, stated that the reconstitution of these committees aims to accelerate efforts in safeguarding press freedom and promoting responsible journalism practices in Nigeria.
Renewable energy projects require significant upfront investments during the preparation and development stages. These stages entail priorities identification, technical and financing options evaluation, and crafting tailored solutions. Investments at this phase, support essential activities including but not limited to feasibility studies, environmental & social impact assessments, risk assessments, and initiation of financial structuring and market analysis.
IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera
The subsequent development stages – detailed site analyses, project design, permitting, technical and financial modelling, as well as regulatory alignment – demand significant capital inputs, often amounting to millions of dollars. Without substantial investment in these preparatory phases, projects remain underdeveloped or not attractive to banks and investors (unbankable), stalling their progress towards financial close and full implementation. Despite the urgency of accelerating the energy transitions through the scaled-up deployment of renewable energy projects, accessible financing for these stages remains scarce, particularly in developing countries.
While well-structured renewables projects can achieve financial close within 6-15 months, many projects struggle for years to move beyond the preparatory phases due to insufficient development funding. An analysis based on projects submitted on the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform – an inclusive, multi-stakeholder climate finance platform managed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to advance the energy transitions in developing economies – shows a disparity in the global picture; most projects located in Sub-Saharan Africa face significant delays in achieving financial close.
With many still in development stages, and with local developers disproportionately affected due to limited access to early-stage capital, these projects often rely on owners’ equity or grant funding to cover development costs. These unique challenges of early-stage financing require specific funding mechanisms – which if provided at scale – have the potential to support project development stages, for example:
Project Preparation Facilities serve as key providers of financial and technical assistance for critical pre-construction activities, as they provide financial and technical assistance for critical pre-construction activities, such as feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and project structuring. These facilities reduce the financial risks for developers, enabling projects to reach bankability. The African Development Bank’s SEFA has funded early-stage renewable energy projects, addressing key bottlenecks. A notable example is the $8 million DREAM programme in Ethiopia.
Similarly, Africa50, one of the ETAF partners, has a project preparation facility for infrastructure developments (including energy projects). Expanding the availability of such providers is essential to accelerating the development of renewable energy projects.
Development Impact Bonds (DIBs) are outcome-based instruments that offer upfront capital for project development, with repayments linked to achieving predefined milestones, such as securing permits or reaching financial close. While DIBs have been successfully applied in social development projects, such as the Village Enterprise Development Impact Bond in Kenya and Uganda, the same model can be replicated for renewable energy infrastructure projects.
Risk-sharing facilities help address financial risks in early-stage development by pooling resources from governments, DFIs, and private investors. These facilities de-risk project preparation, making it easier for developers to secure funding, while tying support to clear outcomes to ensure accountability and reduce upfront costs. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) is one such example, supporting early-stage renewables projects through grants and concessional financing that bridge the gap between project conception and financial close.
Energy development funds established by governments or DFIs can directly address the lack of financing for early-stage activities. These funds provide grants or concessional loans to support technical studies, and project structuring, For example, Rwanda’s Renewable Energy Fund, implemented with support from the Government of Rwanda and the Climate Investment Funds, has supported local entrepreneurs in the mini-grid and solar home system sectors.
In addition, capacity building is also crucial to ensure that local developers can navigate regulatory and technical processes effectively, reducing their dependence on foreign expertise, which consequently lowers development costs. Utilising free online project preparation tools is another valuable approach for developers.
Public-private partnerships can leverage public resources to de-risk activities like feasibility studies and environmental assessments. Through ETAF, IRENA collaborates with partners to provide technical assistance, making more projects eligible for funding.
A prime example of this approach is the tailored support provided to Costa Rica. The country launched a venture capital fund designed to overhaul its public transport system, specifically by replacing fossil fuel-powered bus fleets with electric buses.
The Federal Government says it is determined to provide all the needed support for initiating modern innovation to address post-harvest losses among farmers across the country.
Minister of State for Industry and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh
Minister of State for Industry and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, disclosed this on Monday, April 14, 2025, during the inauguration of a modern Onion Storage facility in Kano State.
The facility, established by Prism Foods Ltd. Dawakin, in Kudu Local Government Area of the state and located at Gadar Tamburawa, is valued at more than N10 billion.
It is aimed at tackling the pressing issue of post-harvest losses faced by onion farmers in the region.
Enoh, who was visibly delighted with the facility, said it was the first of its kind in Africa.
He commended Prism Foods Ltd. for investing heavily in a solution to post-harvest losses, saying it would enhance food security and encourage entrepreneurship while boosting the nation’s economy.
According to him, facilities like this will pave way for more job opportunities and improve food security by providing a reliable storage solution for onions and other perishable commodities.
”This facility will play a vital role in effective service delivery as well as supporting the nation’s agricultural development.
“This initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s agenda to curb post-harvest losses, potentially increasing farmers’ income and creating more job opportunities for youths.”
In his remarks, Gov. Abba Yusuf, represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, commended Prism Foods Ltd. for the huge investment in Kano.
Yusuf noted that the state government was committed to providing all the needed support to ensure that Agricultural produce were enhanced.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prism Foods Ltd., Mr. Aman Gupta, said the massive post-harvest losses faced by onion farmers prompted the establishment of the facility.
He said the facility would be able to store 10,000 tonnes of onion at a time.
Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, Chairman, National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria, said that the facility would significantly reduce post-harvest losses of onions and other perishable commodities.
Maitasamu disclosed that the association produced two million metric tonnes of onions, ensuring a steady supply of raw materials for the facility.
He lauded the federal government and the Kano state government for their support in making the project a reality.
The Nigerian Army has uncovered 11 new bunkering facilities and made some seizures during a six-day operation conducted in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states.
An illegal bunkering site in Ikarama, Bayelsa, used by oil thieves to store adulterated diesel, seized by troops of the Nigerian Army 6 Division during ongoing raids in the Niger Delta
Lt.-Col. Danjuma Danjuma, spokesman for the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, made this known in a statement on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said that seven suspects were arrested during the operations.
”Troops seized 13,600 litres of stolen crude oil, 4,890 litres of adulterated diesel, and 37,700 litres of various other unspecified petroleum products during the raids.
”Soldiers in Rivers raided the Imo River area, where they discovered six illegal refineries and recovered about 11,000 litres of stolen petroleum products.
“Troops deactivated 41 drum pots, 18 drum receivers, and 540 sack bags filled with over 11,000 litres of stolen products.
“They also thwarted attempts by oil thieves to reconstruct other illegal refining sites in the Imo River area,” he stated.
In a separate operation in Ahoada West, Danjuma said that soldiers intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles transporting over 1,300 litres of illegally refined diesel.
“Furthermore, at Krakrama Wellhead 12 in Bille, Degema, seven suspects were arrested while attempting to vandalise the facility.
“Troops, after combing the area, recovered three wooden boats laden with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude,” Dunjuma added.
In Delta, he reported the interception of 25,200 litres of an unspecified petroleum product and 10,000 litres of stolen crude oil from two tankers, a truck, and a bus on the Koko-Obitigbo Road.
During further operations, the army spokesman noted the discovery of 3,350 litres of adulterated diesel stored in 100 cellophane bags at Oton-Urakpa, Sapele.
Other items discovered included three empty drums, two ovens, a metallic storage tank, as well as hoses and pipes believed to be used in siphoning products from pipelines.
“In Bayelsa, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites and recovered about 2,100 litres of stolen crude oil and an additional 1,500 litres of stolen products Biseni and Okordia communities in Yenagoa.
“In Akwa Ibom, soldiers intercepted 240 litres of illegally refined diesel stored in eight jerrycans during an operation along the Okobo-Uyo Road,” he remarked.
Danjuma concluded by stating that the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday, April 14, 2025, inaugurated the first phase of the 400kW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu, the state capital.
The first phase of the 400kW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant at the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital in Damaturu
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said the project was aimed at boosting healthcare delivery and promoting renewable energy in the country.
Adelabu, represented by Alhaji Mamuda Mamman, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described the project as a milestone in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for energy reform.
According to him, the initiative reflects the administration’s determination to ensure energy access becomes a right rather than a privilege, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
“This solar power plant reaffirms our commitment to delivering sustainable and inclusive energy solutions for socioeconomic growth.
“It will ensure that the Hospital functions with reliable and clean energy for critical operations like surgeries, equipment usage, and vaccine refrigeration,” Adelabu said.
The minister noted that the project was aligned with the Electricity Act 2023, which prioritises renewable energy adoption through decentralised systems, solar alternatives for healthcare centres, and private sector incentives such as Feed-in Tariffs.
Adelabu emphasised the importance of energy security to national development, adding that stable electricity in health institutions was non-negotiable.
He stated that the Damaturu installation was part of a broader federal strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, address climate change, and create jobs through green technology.
“Today we commission the 400kW Phase I of this project.
“We remain committed to scaling this to 1MW and replicating similar interventions across the country.
“Our goal is to power hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure with clean, reliable energy,” Adelabu added.
In his remarks, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, commended the federal government for the intervention.
Buni, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Gubana, said the project would significantly enhance service delivery and reduce operational costs at the hospital.
“The Yobe State University Teaching Hospital has expanded from a 250-bed to a 750-bed facility, and this solar power plant supports our efforts to provide uninterrupted energy for modern equipment and services,” he said.
Buni also highlighted other state government’s initiatives to improve healthcare, including the establishment of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YOCHMA) and the upgrading of nine health centres to general hospitals.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said the solar plant would support the Senator Mamman Ali Maternal and Child Health Complex, which houses advanced facilities like MRI and 3D Ultrasound machines.
“This project reflects the synergy between the state and federal governments in transforming public health infrastructure,” he said.
Recently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed the full implementation of the Naira-for-Crude policy for local refiners.
Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil)
The Naira-for-Crude policy entails the sale of crude oil to domestic refineries – Dangote Refinery and others in naira instead of U.S. dollars.
FEC’s resolution on the policy was conveyed by Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, who provided insights.
“Thus, the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market,” the minister said.
Policy analysts say the latest move, if expanded and enforced, could become a game-changer in the oil industry.
According to observers, under the policy, there will no more half-in, half-out arrangements; no more allowing the naira to be treated like second-class tender in its own country.
It is worthy of recall that some stakeholders, have long before FEC’s directive, canvassed for full implementation of the policy.
Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC Delta-North) had been vocal in advocating the Naira-for-Crude policy and harped on the need to create consistent, structural demand for the naira.
Nwoko had always argued that the nation could not expect the naira to gain strength if its use was not prioritised in its own economy.
According to him, optimising the naira includes paying salaries, signing contract, and of course, selling crude in naira.
Nwoko, who is the Senate Ad-hoc Committee Chairman on Crude Oil Theft, said there was need to replicate the policy across other sectors.
“We begin to build a currency that commands respect, not pity.
“More importantly, this is about economic dignity; Nigeria is the only country where foreign currencies are treated as the gold standard even within its own borders.
“Of course, this will not solve everything overnight; implementation will be key, and we have seen policies fizzle out before.
“But the tone has shifted; this is no longer a six-month experiment; this is national direction,’’ he said.
Though Nwoko’s advocacy was seen as idealistic in some quartres, he was relentless and pushed for a bill to ban the use of foreign currencies in domestic transactions, a controversial but necessary move.
His argument was that as long as landlords collected rent in dollars and expatriates got paid in pounds, the naira would continue to suffer in its own house.
In his appraisal, Mr. Peter Esele, former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the new FEC’s directive was a welcome development.
According to Esele, also a former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the directive is long overdue.
‘’It is just that most times in this part of the world, we just do things arbitrarily; so, as the saying goes, it is better late than never.’’
He said that the benefits of the Naira-for-Crude scheme were enormous as the policy would strengthen the naira and help businesses to look for local currencies.
‘’It will strengthen our local currency; it will also help businesses to look for local currencies and not going about scampering for dollars, which is scarce.
‘’And one of the reasons why you have our currency moving from N1,200 to N1,300, and N1,700 at times going to almost N2,000 to the dollar is because of the demand,’’ he said.
The former labour union president added that Nigeria was the only country where certain commodities were priced in dollars.
‘’You do not go to America and then you are now pricing things in Euro; no, or you go to UK and you start pricing things in dollars.
‘’There are some real estates in Nigeria; all their prices are in dollars; it is not done anywhere.
“So, anything that is supposed to be purchased in Nigeria must be done in the local currency.
“And this is good for potential investors in refineries, knowing that they can get the crude oil supply in naira and they will not go scampering or looking for dollars; so, it is a win.
“It is beneficial to our economy and it is also beneficial to our national security.’’
Esele said that the impact of the new policy on petroleum product would however be negligible.
“Maybe two naira or three naira, but at the end of the day, it is not going to be as wide as we may think; this is because the government is selling the crude in naira; it is not selling outside of international crude oil price,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Mr. Ifidon Coker, an economist, said that the Naira-for-Crude policy mainly aimed to reduce pressure on the foreign exchange market and strengthen the naira by allowing domestic buyers to pay for crude oil in the local currency (naira) instead of in U.S. dollars.
According to Coker, economically, it has some key economic benefits which include reducing demand for foreign exchange.
“Since crude oil transactions typically require dollars, insisting on naira payments lowers the demand for dollars, helping to stabilise and possibly strengthen the naira against other currencies.
“It will improve liquidity in the naira market by encouraging large oil sector transactions in naira; the policy increases naira liquidity within the economy, making more funds available for lending and investments.
“It will also boost local industries by ensuring that domestic refineries and oil marketers can now purchase crude in naira, reducing their exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and making it easier for them to plan and operate.
“This can help Nigeria move closer to energy self-sufficiency.”
He also said that the policy would enhance monetary policy control, as with less reliance on dollars, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could better manage inflation and other macroeconomic variables, as it reduced external shocks tied to foreign currency volatility.
“Encouragement of investment in the oil sector will bring about easier access to crude oil in local currency and encourage private investment in refining and related sectors, promoting industrialisation and job creation.
“This policy will also make for a reduction of capital flight; since transactions are done in naira, there is less incentive to move large sums of money abroad for oil trading, which can help in retaining capital within Nigeria.
“It will strengthen national economic sovereignty, because the policy will promote greater control over Nigeria’s strategic resource and reduces dependence on the dollar-dominated global oil market.
“The policy is indeed an excellent one that any good economist and concerned citizens would affirm and indeed align with.
“However, for these benefits to fully materialise, the policy must be implemented transparently, supported by adequate refining capacity, and backed by broader reforms in the oil and financial sectors,” he said.
Experts say the Naira-for-Crude policy is a laudable initiative that will lead to reduction in foreign exchange pressure, stabilisation of petroleum product prices, and in turn, a decline in food inflation.
Since Connected Development (CODE) launched its $5 million Artificial Intelligence (AI) media project, dubbed AI-Dev, to empower Nigerian journalists on how to engage with citizens and ensure that they are mobilised to push for the inclusion of AI in the post-2030 development agenda, the public is still awash with the news of this scheme and wants to know how it’s going to impact and transform the media landscape across the country. In this interview with Etta Michael Bisong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the non-profit organisation dedicated to accountability and transparency, Malam Hamzat Lawal, sheds light on the basket fund’s purpose, particularly how donors can utilise the programme to further their objectives
Malam Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Connected Development (CODE)
What is the CODE AI project all about?
CODE is Africa’s leading civil society organisation that empowers marginalised communities. We do this by creating platforms to inform the government and citizens while holding the government to account for the citizens. For the past 13 years we have used innovative tools and approaches in engaging citizens. We also leverage our strength of convening events and partnership with the media, which has the capacity to reach out to the masses of our people.
I will be happy to mention here today that Nigerian journalists should be proud and take ownership of the success that we have achieved over the years. It is through them that we have been able to achieve what we have been achieving.
Now, talking about this initiative, the landscape of the entire conversation is now on artificial intelligence (AI). Before now, the conversation was around data. This is something we even took to the World Bank. I remember I was in Washington D.C. in 2014, meeting with leaders, informing them about policies around open data and how citizens can get data and how the World Bank is investing across the African continent. From Open Data, we went to Big Data, which has to do with how giants like Facebook and X are taking data and using it. How some machine learning algorithms are biased and how we would engage stakeholders to do fact-checking on misinformation, disinformation, etc.
Today the world is talking about AI. To jump into it, first, we said, Let’s even hear from the media practitioners – journalists, editors, newsroom managers, and investigative journalists from different spectrums, whether print, online, or broadcast – and hosted a roundtable, and we got insights and feedback about some of their challenges and how we can work together to have the challenges resolved. You can hardly see a journalist seated at a roundtable – he is always busy chasing stories. But we were able to bring them together. As we brought them together, we worked on a six-year strategic plan – 2024 to 2030.
As we are now in 2025, it means that we now have 5 years to achieve our target, which is how we do properly embed the media in the development value chain. How do we empower them with the right skills, tools and other resources that they need to seamlessly and satisfactorily carry out the tasks required of them? We launched the $5 million basket fund to take care of all of these. We will be disbursing $1 million every year until 2030.
Are other African countries captured in this scheme?
No, it is solely for the Nigerian media. The Nigerian media made CODE what it is today. So this is a way of giving back. This basket fund also creates an opportunity where donors can invest their money because it is an impact-investment initiative. We will have a board for it; we will have the management team that looks at the pitches and the criteria that must be met before the fund is awarded.
The donor landscape is changing; every donor is now going into technology and innovation and how it is affecting young people, particularly Gen Z, but a lot of them have no grasp of how to go about it; we have a platform, and we will ensure that it tallies with your vision and mission.
What are CODE’s expectations from this noble initiative?
Showing appreciation to journalists for their work over the years. And giving our work a wider reach because journalists can mass-educate and mass-inform the people using AI. In our work, citizens are at the centre, and given that Nigeria has deficits in telecommunications and technology, journalists are the right and sure bet.
How do we put citizens at the centre? It is journalists that have to create that awareness and consciousness so that citizens can increase and drive demands. The government can budget and use those resources as investment, and as they do that, journalists would continue to investigate how the government is going about it, how the resources are being utilised, and how the contracting procedures are being undertaken in a way that the citizen will be at the heart of it. When we say citizens should be at the heart, it means power should go back to the people. If there is more investment in infrastructure, citizens can give feedback in real-time where AI can analyse it and give government feedback about what the people or their communities need.
Now there is a service industry where a lot of other economies are looking for skilled labour, through which, for example, you can be in Nigeria and earn foreign exchange (FX) from the United States. We are thinking of exploring it to the benefit of our people and helping in boosting the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As I already said, the basket fund is also a way of giving back to the press because of the tremendous things they did and are still doing to make CODE what it is today. The fund has been launched. We are now talking to partners across the board; I will also be going on a tour to meet more partners. We will be starting capacity trainings soon. We expect some of the pitches to be on capacity building for journalists on various aspects of journalism.
Ideally, the basket fund focuses on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, and other areas that address climate change. To make sure the initiative is carried out seamlessly, CODE has appointed a consultant, a seasoned journalist with vast knowledge in the sustainable development space, to oversee all of the processes and to ensure that the gaps between the civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media are bridged.
How long does your organisation intend to implement this programme?
It is going to run for five years – between this year and 2030. We hope that this influences what becomes the next development agenda. As you already know, from 2000 to 2015, it was Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). From 2015 to 2030, we have Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I was among the young leaders who informed what the post-2015 development agenda became when I met with Ban Ki-moon in 2014.
He met with 10 young leaders from across the world, and I was one of them. We sat across the table with him to engage on climate actions and how citizens can mobilise around the post-2015 development agenda, which is still ongoing. So we are hoping that our initiative of working with journalists should be part of what becomes the next development agenda.
Can you explain how this exercise will promote the independence of the Nigerian press?
One thing we also want to counter is the mindset of the people towards the media. If you look at the spectrum of the media and the newsroom, I think the society itself is not fair to the media. A lot is expected from them, and they deliver. Because when you meet an average journalist, their passion and commitment towards the job are what drive them. Barely is there again in it. The job is a calling, just like imams and pastors because it is the passion that drives them. I know many journalists who are not being paid. The job has no hazard allowance, despite the fact that it is highly risky. Some of them die on the job without anyone helping their families.
We are hoping to tackle some of these challenges with this initiative. In other climes, I was shocked to learn that government budget money goes to journalism organisations so that they can report independently without any backroom negotiation for control. But in Nigeria, the case is different. If you carry a story the government officials do not like, you would probably lose your contracts. So, this fund will help journalists tell the real stories because they have everything they need.
We will be having a roundtable with media owners , the government and regulators of artificial intelligence, the private sector, and then with the journalists on the field themselves as part of the initiative. We also want to have a roundtable with Gen Z to engage them on how they are using AI, what the gaps are, what the advantages are, and how we can work together to optimise things.
What are your plans for leveraging this project to improve the technical capacity of Nigeria’s media?
We will be doing a needs assessment across various media houses to identify their gaps and see how we could come in. We will come up with a questionnaire to work with. We also plan to take Nigerian journalists to other countries so that they will go and experience how the job is being done there. We will be considering Europe and America.
After we have disbursed and they have done some work, we will consider hosting a conference to showcase the works in order to share with various stakeholders.
Is this CODE’s first attempt at incorporating AI into its operations?
CODE is not new to AI. During the last election, we deployed an AI tool through which we were able to get a midday report and analysis in real-time. And that was why we were the first CSO with a report of what happened even when voting was still ongoing.
We want to build on that in other elections. We deployed the same tool in Liberia during their last election. We did the same in the U.S. when we monitored the election that brought Donald Trump into office.
What other initiatives does your organisation have in place to encourage sustainability?
We are at the moment heavily invested in climate change. We launched the Ewah Eleri Climate Change Fellowship programme, where for the past five years we have been supporting at least five journalists every year to attend United Nations’ conferences on climate change to report what negotiators are doing and what world leaders are committing to. We select journalists that are working around environment and climate change matters.
We are currently going into interfaith dialogue to bring in clerics to help us come up with scriptural messages that will help in enlightening people on the effects of climate change. We are now in a crisis because a lot of people don’t know what climate change entails. In view of the fact that a mass of our people listen to clerics, we will use them to get messages to the people on effects and how individuals can take action.
Can you tell us more about Follow the Money (FTM) and its impact since its inception?
Our Follow the Money campaign is now in 12 African countries. We have over 35 thousand young people on our platform. We are hoping to conquer Africa before 2030. In each of the 12 countries, we have secretaries-general and country directors. We are hoping to host an African-wide Follow the Money at 15 in 2027 in Abuja, where it started.
Given the country’s digital divide, how does your organisation interact with people in remote areas?
Follow the Money started in a rural area in 2014, in a community known as Bagega. I went on a motorbike. It took me four and a half hours to get there from Anka in Zamfara State. In Bagega at that time, there was no mobile network; it was a forest, and they got their drinking water from a stream. It was as if civilisation had left them behind. But, today, because of our intervention, there is a dual-carriage tarred road to the community. There is now potable water and telecommunication networks.
They even have state-of-the-art primary schools equipped with computers that are connected to the internet. Today, we have Follow the Money volunteers in all the 36 states and in over 400 LGAs. We want to conquer all the LGAs in the country so that we can cover everywhere.
What has been the government attitude and response towards the activities of CODE?
Before now, we were not having the needed support. But now we have the officials in our town hall meetings and stakeholders’ engagements.
Can you describe your obstacles?
Access to some communities because of the pockets of insecurity and access to data. That is why we sat down with the Minister for Budget and Planning and the Director General of the Bureau of Statistics to see how they can access our own data because we also generate and collate data. We also want to access their data, analyse it and make it attractive and understandable to the citizens so that they would learn what the government is doing.
We also engage with an aide to the president on policy, Hadiza Bala Usman, in ways of exploring collaborations.
With the announcement of this life-changing endeavour, what advise would you give Nigerian media practitioners?
My message to the Nigerian journalists is that they should remain resilient. I also want to thank them for their commitments and their role in shaping the narrative of democracy. It is my hope that their works will even outlive them, and their names will be written in gold when the history of our country is written someday.
A Nigerian-energy company, Walcot Group, and Angolan National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels (ANPG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Production Sharing Contract (PSC) to bolster Nigeria-Angola bilateral cooperation.
R-L: Christopher Nwabueze and Alcides Andrade during the signing ceremony in Luanda, Angola.
The Managing-Director of Walcot Group, Suleman Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Abuja.
He said that the MoU would boost trade relations between the two countries in the oil and gas sector.
He said the agreement resulted from the company’s successful bid for three oil blocks within a competitive international licensing round.
Mohammed said the step would expand the organisation’s footprint across Africa’s high-potential energy basins.
He said that the agreement was signed in Luanda by the Founder and President of Walcot Group, Christopher Nwuabueze, and the ANPG’s Executive Administrator, Alcides Andrade.
Nwabueze described the move as a transformative moment for Walcot Group, “as we deepen our presence in Africa’s energy landscape.
“We are excited to partner Angola’s government and the ANPG, to unlock the potential of these blocks, driving value for stakeholders and supporting regional energy security.
“The PSC entails Walcot Group will secure full operator-ship of Block CON-3 and Block CON-7 in the Lower Congo Basins with 100 per cent participation interest in both blocks.
“CON-3 spanned 723.37 km² with estimated prospective oil resources of 1.25 billion barrels, featuring Pre-salt and Post-salt structures.
“CON-7 covered 744.77 km² with estimated prospective oil resources that range from 710 million to 1.15 billion barrels, supported by rich source rocks and nearby commercial discoveries.”
Nwabueze added that, for block KON-13, Walcot Group would take a 10 per cent stake in the Kwanza Onshore Basin.
“This is alongside Angola National Oil Company Sonangol, Effimax Energy and Oando Energy Resources as operators with prospective resources ranging from 770 million to 1.1 billion barrels,” he said.
The Walcot boss said that Angola aimed to maintain its oil output at 1.1 million barrels per day by 2027 and double it in the long term.
Nwuabueze added that ANPG viewed Walcot partnership as a boost to its upstream ambitions.
“The Lower Congo and Kwanza Basins, known for their prolific geology, offer Walcot a prime opportunity to apply its technical expertise and sustainable practices.
“This will align with the company’s broader goal of fostering economic growth across the continent,” he said.
The event attended by Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador to Angola, Rebekkah Galadima, among others, was designed to strengthen Nigeria-Angola economic ties.
Biodun Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State; Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power; Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited; and Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, the immediate past and first female Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), were among top energy stakeholders honoured at the second edition of the Energy Times’ Award.
Some dignitaries at the Energy Times Award ceremony in Lagos
The event, held in Lagos on Friday, April 11, 2025, celebrated outstanding individuals and institutions driving excellence and innovation across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Kola Adesina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, received the prestigious Energy Icon of the Year award for his impactful leadership in delivering sustainable energy solutions across Nigeria and Africa.
Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, CEO of First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (First E&P), was named Industry Personality of the Year for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sub-sector.
His recent appointment as Nigeria’s Governor to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and his subsequent emergence as Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors for 2025, were highlighted.
Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), received the Young Achiever of the Year award for successfully restoring two previously offline turbine units, thereby adding 230MW to Nigeria’s power generation capacity.
NIPCO Gas Limited was honoured with the Award for Pioneering Nigeria’s Gas Revolution, in recognition of its leading role in the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to support cleaner energy for automobiles and industries.
Chief Chamberlain Oyibo was named Doyen of Nigeria’s Oil Industry for his long-standing influence and contributions to the sector.
Mele Kyari clinched the Man of the Year award for his significant achievements during his tenure as GCEO of NNPC Ltd, notably the revival of the 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery, the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery, among other milestones.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State was named Energy Governor of the Year for his proactive efforts in improving power infrastructure, including granting operational licences to 14 electricity investors to enhance power generation, transmission, and distribution in the state.
Comrade Festus Osifo, President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was honoured as Labour Leader of the Year for his pivotal role in advocating for the N70,000 minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote received the Achiever of the Year award for his unwavering commitment to the establishment and operationalisation of the 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant in Lekki, Lagos.
Dr. Daere Akobo, Chairman of PANA Holdings, emerged as Visionary CEO of the Year for his strategic foresight in steering his company’s remarkable growth.
Ikeja Electric was awarded DisCo of the Year for its strong infrastructure development and customer-centric initiatives, including the installation of nearly one million prepaid meters in 2024 – an achievement unmatched by other distribution companies.
Olu Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, received an Award of Excellence for fostering transparent engagement with energy journalists and enhancing the company’s brand visibility and stakeholder relations.
Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electric, was honoured as Amazon of the Nigerian Power Sector for her exemplary leadership in transforming the utility company.
Mrs. Rekhiat Momoh, Acting Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), was named Power Sector CEO of the Year for her exceptional performance since assuming office in 2024.
Under her leadership, EKEDC’s revenue collection surged to N36.69 billion from N16.82 billion, while the Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses dropped from 17.01% to 10.51%.
Andy Odeh, former General Manager, External Relations and Regulatory Compliance at Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), was also presented with an Award of Excellence for several notable achievements, including successfully leading NLNG’s rebranding initiative, which featured a new logo, payoff line, and purpose statement.
Alhaji Yakubu Lawal, Editorial Board Chairman of Energy Times, stated that the publication’s annual award ceremony is dedicated to celebrating individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria’s energy sector.
Alhaji Lawal further emphasised that Energy Times maintains strong editorial integrity, which is focused on addressing key issues within the energy industry.
He added that the platform continues to leverage the power of the media to influence and shape government policies that support sustainable growth across the sector.
