The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said his company returned to invest in Ogun State due to Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s investor-friendly policies.
Aliko Dangote
Dangote made this known on Monday, March 17, 2025, during a courtesy visit to the governor at his office in Abeokuta.
He noted that the state had become one of Nigeria’s most attractive investment destinations by positioning itself as the manufacturing ‘bedrock’ of the nation.
The Dangote Group President praised Abiodun’s vision and policies, which deliberately supported private sector growth and encouraged enterprise through immense cooperation with investors.
“Our factory at Itori was demolished twice. During the second incident, not just the factory but the fence was pulled down, so we abandoned the project.
“However, due to Governor Abiodun’s efforts, we have returned. Anyone visiting the factory now would be amazed at the progress achieved,” he said.
He revealed that the company had earlier abandoned its plan to invest in the Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun Waterside Local Government due to previous setbacks.
“Thanks to your policies and a favourable business climate, we are returning to Olokola. Plans are underway to construct Nigeria’s largest port,” Dangote pledged.
Providing an update on projects, Dangote disclosed two new cement plant lines with a combined capacity of 6 million metric tonnes per annum had been built in Itori.
A 12 million metric tonnes per annum cement plant, he added, is also sited at Ibeshe, boosting the group’s production capacity in the state.
Upon completion, the combined output of the company’s plants in Ogun would reach 18 million metric tonnes annually, making it Africa’s top cement-producing region.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s growing economy required private firms to support government initiatives, and Dangote Group remained committed to national development.
He affirmed his company’s dedication to investing in Nigeria and transforming the economy by showing unwavering belief in the country and its people.
In response, Abiodun thanked Dangote for the visit, and for his trust in the state and continued commitment to Nigeria’s economic progress.
He also commended Dangote for creating jobs and significantly contributing to national development through business expansion and global advocacy for Nigeria.
“Your selfless promotion of Nigeria globally is commendable. Your life story remains an inspiration to many young Nigerians striving for success.
“Ogun welcomes your renewed investment. Today, March 17, is historic – the same month you broke ground for the Lagos refinery project.
“You have not only completed the Itori factory but also chosen to develop Nigeria’s largest port here. For this, I express my profound gratitude,” he said.
The Ogoni Dialogue Committee on the Resumption of Oil Extraction in Ogoniland has concluded its consultations and will soon submit its findings to the Federal Government.
Ogoni Dialogue Committee during a town hall meeting with Ogoni people over planned resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland
The committee’s Chairman, Prof. Don Baridam, disclosed this on Sunday, March 16, 2025, during a final town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bori, Khana Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
Baridam stated that the report to be presented to the Federal Government would reflect the collective views of the people of Ogoni.
According to him, the committee will harmonise its findings to produce a final position that will serve as the basis for negotiations with the government regarding the planned oil extraction.
“The dialogue committee remains committed to a robust consultation process that ensures Ogoni voices are not only heard but also considered before oil activities resumes,” he said.
Baridam assured that the perspective of residents from Nyo-Khana, Ken-Khana, and Babbe would also be incorporated into the committee’s negotiations with the government.
He noted that while grassroots consultations had been concluded, engagements with women, youths, and other interest groups would continue.
“We are pleased that our Ogoni diaspora community is also submitting their memoranda as we conclude our consultations with Ogoni communities today.
“It is essential that the final charter of demands we will present encapsulates the collective views of the Ogoni people,” he added.
Baridam commended President Bola Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa.
He also praised the government for the accelerated construction of the Eleme Junction-Onne Section of the East West Road project, describing it as a proof of its commitment to addressing long-standing injustices in the region.
The dialogue chairman further expressed gratitude to the Ogoni people for their active participation throughout the consultations process.
Mr. Dumnamene Dekor, the member representing Khana-Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, urged Ogonis to remain united in pursuit of a common goal.
He encouraged residents not to disregard the olive branch extended by President Tinubu to correct historical wrongs inflicted on the Ogoni people.
“The president cares about Ogonis and has invited us to meet with him to discuss our issues so we can heal the wounds of the past.
“So, I commend residents for participating in this process and assure them that the dialogue committee will be fair and transparent in submitting our views,” Dekor stated.
The federal lawmaker also thanked the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his commitment to the negotiation process between the government and the Ogoni people.
Dr Joi Nunieh, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), expressed confidence that the views of the people would not be compromised.
She praised the Federal Government for choosing dialogue over force in the proposed resumption of oil extraction in the area.
“The government has chosen to consult with the people rather than imposing the resumption of oil activities, which is commendable.
“Ogonis must now come together and seize this opportunity to present their demands and conditions for oil resumption.
“The dialogue committee has done an excellent job of ensuring inclusivity, and we can see the general consensus emerging from these discussions,” Nunieh added.
King Solomon Ndigbara, the Menebua of Bori, urged Ogoni youths to take ownership of the dialogue process and actively participate in the discussions.
Okomu National Park, a biodiversity gem nestled in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, had long suffered the required attention.
Okomu National Park
In spite of its values to national development in tourism sector, concerned citizens note that illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment by farmers once threatened its rich ecosystem, home to the endangered African forest elephant and the white-throated monkey – one of the world’s rarest primates.
In a bid to secure the park, the Okomu National Park Service (NPS) and the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, collaborated to restore the park’s integrity.
The collaboration, which began in 2022, is not just about conservation; it is a holistic effort to secure the park, empower surrounding communities, and foster eco-tourism development.
From reinforcing security through ranger recruitment to initiating community-driven alternative livelihoods, the partnership is redefining conservation in the country.
In spite of its vast ecological significance, the the 200-square kilometre protected area, designated as a national park in 1999, has struggled with illegal activities inimical to its values.
Reports from conservation groups have highlighted how timber merchants exploited the forest for its valuable hardwood, while poachers targeted endangered species for bushmeat and illicit trade.
A 2020 study by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) revealed that widespread deforestation within the park was driven by commercial interests, with criminal syndicates felling ancient trees and smuggling timber to international markets.
In addition, the unchecked hunting of wildlife, including elephants and primates, pushed several species to the brink of local extinction.
“The threats to Okomu were enormous; when I resumed duty in November 2022, illegal logging was a major challenge, and we had to find a sustainable solution,” Mr. Lawrence Osaze, the Conservator of Park, observed.
Recognising the urgent need for intervention, the National Park Service sought partnerships with conservation organisations that had a proven track record of success.
This led to the involvement of the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, which had demonstrated effective eco-tourism and conservation models in Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba and Adamawa state.
The partnership between ANI Foundation and Okomu National Park began in 2022 and, within two years, significant progress had been made in tackling the park’s longstanding problems, Osaze noted.
He said that one of the foundation’s first actions was to enhance the park’s security infrastructure.
“ANI Foundation hired and trained 38 additional rangers, equipping them with modern surveillance tools and deploying them for regular anti-poaching patrols. This move drastically reduced illegal logging and wildlife hunting.
“We joined forces together, and the story today is entirely different. The park is relatively peaceful, and logging activities are at the barest minimum.
“Before the partnership, rangers were often outnumbered and under-resourced, making it difficult to curb illegal activities. But ANI’s intervention has transformed the situation.
“The foundation has not only provided financial and logistical support but has also introduced intelligence-driven security measures, ensuring that poachers and loggers face swift consequences.
“Beyond enforcement, the foundation recognised the importance of winning over local communities. Many of the park’s challenges stemmed from economic hardship, as nearby villagers relied on the forest for survival.
To address this, ANI introduced several empowerment initiatives, encouraging residents to adopt sustainable livelihoods.
“We have had a series of engagements with communities to gain their support. We are working to ensure they do not rely solely on forest resources for survival,” Osaze explained.
He noted further that the initiatives included savings and loan programmes for women and youth, enabling them to establish small businesses, expand their farms, or invest in alternative sources of income.
Similarly, the Iyase of Udo, Chief Patrick Igbinidu, a respected traditional ruler in the area, said that the impact of these interventions was evident.
“ANI Foundation has been a great partner since they arrived at Okomu National Park. They have not only improved security but have also empowered our people. Many of our youths have been employed as rangers, and women have been supported with interest-free loans,” he said.
According to him, these programmes have been instrumental in shifting local perceptions of conservation.
He also said that communities viewed the national park as a government-imposed restriction on their livelihoods, but now, they could see it as an opportunity for economic growth and stability.
By most accounts, Okomu National Park is one of Nigeria’s most important biodiversity hotspots, hosting species that are rarely found elsewhere.
ANI Foundation, meanwhile, prioritises protecting these species to promote eco-tourism as a sustainable revenue model for the park.
Peter Abanyam, ANI Foundation’s Project Manager for Okomu, emphasised the park’s ecological importance.
“Okomu is the primary home of the white-throated monkey. Apart from a small population in south-western part of the country, this park is where you find them in the world. The African forest elephant is also a flagship species here,” he noted.
By boosting conservation efforts, Abanyam insisted that the foundation would attract both domestic and international tourists, positioning Okomu as an eco-tourism destination.
According to the project manager, plans are underway to upgrade park facilities, improve visitor experiences, and market Okomu as a must-visit site for nature lovers.
Both the National Park Service and ANI Foundation acknowledge that long-term success will depend on maintaining vigilance against illegal activities while expanding alternative livelihood programs.
“Our goal is to make Africa’s nature and wildlife a source of pride. We want to show that conservation can be sustainable and beneficial to local communities through private sector investment,” Abanyam said.
Amidst the sustainable efforts, the Iyase of Udo, also reaffirmed the community’s commitment to the partnership.
“We will continue to support ANI and the National Park Service. They have shown a genuine interest in developing our area, and we stand with them,” he said.
Observers note that for Osaze and his team, the vision is clear. It is to make Okomu National Park Nigeria’s premier eco-tourism hub, a model for conservation success across the country.
They note further that the transformation of Okomu National Park is a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in conservation.
According to them, by combining security reinforcement, community engagement, and eco-tourism development, the collaboration between ANI Foundation and the National Park Service is setting a new standard for environmental protection.
What was once a forest under threat is now a beacon of hope for conservationists, researchers, and nature lovers alike, they note.
Stakeholders in tourism industry also agree that if sustained, Okomu model could be replicated in other national parks across the country, ensuring that the country’s rich biodiversity is preserved for future generations.
As efforts continue to safeguard Okomu’s natural heritage, one thing is clear. When conservation is done right, it benefits not just the environment but also the people who depend on it, stakeholders believe.
WaterAid Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bwari Area Council, has earmarked more than N500 million for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in six Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
A cross-section of participants at the one-day Validation Workshop on Local Investment Plans for WASH in Bwari Area Council.
The proposal was presented at a one-day “Validation Workshop on Local Investment Plans (LIP) for Six Primary Healthcare Institutions” on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Abuja.
The selected PHCs for this pilot project are Dutse-Alhaji, Owner Occupier, Sabon-Gari, Byazhin, Dei-dei, and Ushafa.
The total proposed budget for the Local Investment Plan (LIP) is N521,655,000.
This funding aims to enhance WASH services, environmental cleaning, health waste management, and monitoring and evaluation across the selected centres. The investment plan is set to cover the period from 2025 to 2030.
Mr. Nampet Chuktu, WaterAid Head of Programmes, highlighted the importance of collaborating with stakeholders to ensure accurate documentation and validation of the investment plans, which would also help in advocating for future budget releases.
“This is so that we are not guessing what is needed or what should be in place each year.
“Instead, we will be able to determine what should be at the centres because it has been validated and documented. With this document, we can advocate for budget release,” he said.
Chuktu urged the representatives of each PHC at the workshop to help facilitate the process and ensure that the overseeing authority at the FCT Primary Health Secretariat properly situates the document.
He also noted that WaterAid, with funding support from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Charities, would finance 30 per cent of the project, while the council would finance 70 per cent.
Mr. Kabiru Abbas, a consultant, emphasised the need for critical infrastructural development to improve WASH services in the PHCs.
He explained that the development of a WASH investment plan would help secure funding for the improvement of healthcare services and contribute to achieving Social Development Goals in the area.
“The LIP is a comprehensive plan for achieving the Social Development Goals within the area council.
“The state of WASH services in health institutions in Bwari Area Council has been precarious and requires significant investment in infrastructure,” he said.
He explained that the LIP was the result of a participatory process involving the assessment of gaps, setting priorities, timelines, and identifying the resources needed to achieve the set objectives.
“It is also evidence-based, life-cycle costed, and developed through a participatory approach involving a mix of stakeholders,” he added.
The Head of Administration of the Bwari Area Council, Mr. Isa Musa, assured swift action in adopting the document on behalf of the council chairman.
“WaterAid Nigeria has already supported a 12-month project focused on enhancing WASH facilities in Bwari’s PHCs, including constructing and rehabilitating water and sanitation facilities.
“This project is part of WaterAid’s broader sustainability strategy to maintain the WASH improvements in the council over the next six years.”
The event was attended by officials from various council departments, PHC managers, traditional leaders, and other WASH collaborators.
Seven new project agreements were signed during the Green Climate Fund’s 41st Board meeting (B.41), which took place from February 17 to 20, 2025.
Approving the “Barbados Climate Resilient South Coast Water Reclamation Project (SCWRP)” with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
At the Fund’s first Board meeting of the year, the Board approved $686.8 million ($1.5 billion with co-financing) in GCF investment for 11 new projects in 42 countries. This brings the GCF portfolio to 297 projects in 133 countries, with a total GCF funding amount of $16.6 billion and $62.7 billion with co-financing.
Of the 11 projects, agreements for five projects were immediately signed between GCF and its Accredited Entity (AE) partners at a signing ceremony on February 20, with the sixth signed by the AE remotely earlier in the day. The ceremony also included the signing for a project approved at the 40th Board meeting last October.
GCF has reportedly been working to speed up its processes to deliver climate projects to communities more efficiently and effectively as part of its transformational agenda to increase the Fund’s efficiency and impact. This includes expediting the process for the negotiation and signing of the project agreement or Funded Activity Agreement (FAA), which must be signed by GCF and the Accredited Entity (AE) for the project to begin implementation.
The projects set for implementation include GCF’s first single-country project in Serbia, climate-resilient agriculture projects in Mali and Kenya, a multi-country project targeting food loss in Africa, a tuna adaptation project in the Pacific, and a debt-for-climate conversion project in Barbados.
In addition, three new projects received their first disbursement. Projects in Kenya and Serbia and a multi-country project in Africa (RE-GAIN) were rapidly turned around, from board approval to the signing of project agreements to disbursement, in about a week.
This project aims to promote climate-resilient, low-carbon, environmentally sustainable, and financially viable agricultural value chains by expediting the transfer of technology, knowledge, assets, and services.
The project’s objective is to improve the food, nutrition and water security of smallholder farmers in five highly climate-vulnerable regions of Mali. It will focus on increased access to and use of inclusive climate-resilient production practices and technologies in agricultural and agroforestry systems.
The project will increase smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate risks and their capacity to adopt Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques, create sustainable markets for CSA and agroforestry products and strengthen the institutional capacities of government entities and communities at local, regional and national levels.
RE-GAIN aims to strengthen smallholder farmers’ climate resilience and adaptive capacity by promoting the wide-scale adoption of food loss reduction solutions (FL-RS). This involves engaging both the demand and supply sides, emphasising market creation, enhancement, and active participation from the private sector.
Key activities will include increasing the demand for and encouraging the adoption of FL-RS by farmers in seven countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia), enhancing the supply and affordability of FL-RS, and fostering an enabling environment for its large-scale adoption.
This project will build resilience in tuna-dependent economies and communities by addressing food insecurity and economic risks caused by climate change. It will achieve this by enhancing access to tuna for coastal and urban communities, strengthening national fisheries systems, and improving forecasting to manage tuna redistribution effectively.
Key activities will include technical support for Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) deployment, fisher training, post-harvest improvement; policy development, improved handling, and market opportunities; and using science-based forecasts and projections to reduce uncertainty in climate change-driven tuna redistribution.
This project will promote sustainable, climate-adaptive forestry by fostering public-private collaboration, strengthening forest governance, and supporting vulnerable communities. Climate-sensitive investments will enhance forest ecosystems, bolster energy security, and reduce carbon emissions, enabling Serbia to achieve its adaptation and mitigation goals while ensuring low-carbon development and resilient livelihoods. It will also facilitate private sector engagement and finance in adaptation and mitigation investments.
This project aims to increase Barbados’ water resilience to climate change. Its focus is on increasing water security, food sovereignty, and improving environmental conditions, particularly those of small-scale farmers and residents. Critical infrastructure, such as the South Coast Water Treatment Plant, will be upgraded to efficiently deliver reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge.
The project introduces a novel financing approach through a “Debt-for-Climate Conversion” or debt swap, which will create fiscal space and generate savings over time, allowing Barbados to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
The project aims to increase the climate resilience of vulnerable communities, ecosystems, and productive systems in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It will support locally led Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) interventions that enhance biodiversity, reduce climate vulnerability, and sustain essential ecosystem services.
Some key activities include financing 10 sub-projects to conserve, restore, and improve productive practices to increase communities’ adaptive capacities in coastal and marine landscapes, mobilising financing to scale up community-level activities, and knowledge sharing and enhanced coordination among local stakeholders, national agencies, and NGOs.
A growing number of countries are working to decarbonise buildings, but sluggish progress and financing puts global climate goals at risk. These are the key findings of an annual review of the buildings and construction sector, published on Monday, March 17, 2025, by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).
Decarbonised building
Decarbonise buildings means to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings. This can be done by improving energy efficiency, electrifying equipment and appliances, using renewable energy sources, and choosing low-carbon or carbon-storing materials.
The “Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 – Not just another brick in the wall” highlights progress made on related global climate goals and calls for greater ambition on six challenges, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing. Global frameworks and initiatives such as Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Buildings Breakthrough and the Declaration de Chaillot are sustaining momentum towards adopting ambitious climate action plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), for net-zero buildings ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.
“The buildings where we work, shop and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “The good news is that government actions are working. But we must do more and do it faster. I encourage all countries to include plans to rapidly cut emissions from buildings and construction in their new NDCs.”
Reviewing the decade since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the report finds 2023 was the first year when continued growth of building construction was decoupled from associated sector greenhouse gas emissions, which have previously plateaued.
By adopting mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero emissions, mandatory performance standards and seizing energy efficiency investments, the sector’s energy intensity has reduced by almost 10% while the renewable energy share in final energy demand has increased by nearly 5%.
Additional measures such as circular construction practices, green leases, energy efficient retrofitting of existing buildings, and prioritising the use of low carbon materials can further reduce energy consumption, enhance waste management and reduce emissions overall.
Despite this progress, the sector remains a key driver of the climate crisis, consuming 32 per cent of global energy and contributing to 34 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The sector is dependent on materials like cement and steel that are responsible for 18% of global emissions and are a major source of construction waste.
Given nearly half of the world’s buildings that will exist by 2050 have not yet been built, the adoption of ambitious energy building codes is critical. However, data points to a recent decline in highly effective measures like heat pump installations and over 50 per cent of newly constructed floorspace in emerging and developing economies is still not covered by building codes.
The report sets out a challenge to major carbon-emitting countries to adopt zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, to be followed by all other countries no later than 2035. Building codes and integrating building code reform plans in the ongoing submission of NDCs are critical to achieve the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.
Finally, all governments, financial institutions and businesses need to work together to double global building energy efficiency investment from $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030. Adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility measures, and circular economy practices – including longer building lifespans, better material efficiency and reuse, recycling, passive design, and waste management – are key to help bridge gaps in financing, while workforce development programmes are essential to fill skill gaps in the sector.
UNEP, GlobalABC members, and other partners will continue to support countries and businesses to decarbonise new and existing buildings and the entire building value chain, including using this data to support ambitious NDCs ahead of COP30.
In what appears to be an unprecedented show of unity, more than 47 million health professionals, patients, advocates, representatives from civil society organisations, and individuals worldwide have signed a resounding call for urgent action to reduce air pollution and to protect people’s health from its devastating impacts.
The WHO says that, in one year, 46,750 persons died as a result of outdoor pollution in Nigeria
Air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health and a major contributor to climate change. Around 7 million people die from air pollution each year, mainly from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
This global call to action, spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international health organisations will be presented at the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, set to take place in Cartagena, Colombia, from March 25 to 27, 2025.
“Forty-seven million people from the health community have issued a clarion call for urgent, bold, science-driven action on air pollution, and their voices must be heard,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Around the world, WHO is supporting countries to implement evidence-based tools to address air pollution and prevent the disease it causes. At the second WHO Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Cartagena, we hope to see concrete commitments from countries to implement those tools and save lives.”
Hosted by WHO and the Government of Colombia, the conference will bring together political leaders, representatives from civil society organisations, UN agencies and academia to drive a global clean air agenda which promises benefits for public health, climate change response and sustainable development, both globally and locally.
Recognising the heavy toll of air pollution, the health community is calling on governments to take immediate and ambitious steps to reduce emissions, enforce stricter air quality standards, and transition to cleaner energy sources, unlocking multiple benefits for the health of people and planet. The topic will also be a focus ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), where world leaders will be called upon to take stronger action.
Key facts:
Air pollution in both cities and rural areas generates fine particulate matter which results in NCDs such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases as well as acute conditions such as pneumonia.
Around 2.1 billion people are exposed to dangerous levels of household air pollution, while using polluting open fires or stoves for cooking.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are among the leading causes of death, many are linked to air pollution exposure. The global NCD epidemic claims 41 million lives annually. Addressing air pollution is a key strategy in reducing the burden of NCDs and improving global health.
Sources of air pollution are varied and context-specific. The major pollution sources include polluting energy sources used in homes, energy production, industrial emissions, transport, agriculture, waste as well as natural sources such as desert and dust storms or wildfires.
Improving air quality by implementing well-known and available solutions will prevent premature deaths, improve health, drive sustainable economic development, and mitigate climate change.
“While the challenge is immense, progress is possible. Many cities and countries have significantly improved air quality by enforcing stricter pollution limits,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health. “Clean air is not a privilege; it is a human right as recognized by the UN General Assembly. We need to work together urgently to scale up transitioning from coal-fired power to renewable energy, expanding public and sustainable transport, establishing low-emission zones in cities and promoting clean energy for cooking and solar power in healthcare facilities.”
“The commitments made at the upcoming Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health and the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs will play a crucial role in paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Now is the time to take the call and step up efforts for cleaner air, everywhere,” submitted the WHO.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) says a unified regional approach will guarantee food security in Eastern Africa and overcome persistent trade barriers.
ECA’s acting Director in Eastern Africa, Andrew Mold
ECA’s acting Director in Eastern Africa, Andrew Mold, said this in a statement published on the Commission’s website.
He spoke during a side event at the 57th session of the ECA’s Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The event had the theme, “Food Security and Cross-Border Trade: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities Amid the Implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”.
The theme highlighted the region’s shift from being a net food exporter in the early 2000s to a net importer, with significant disparities among countries.
Mold noted that while some nations, such as Tanzania and Uganda, had emerged as leading food exporters – particularly in commodities like maize – other countries continued to struggle with food insecurity.
Farayi Zimudzi, Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), stressed the urgency of increasing agricultural productivity to keep pace with rapid population growth.
She advocated for greater investment in research and development, particularly in high-yield crop varieties and improved livestock production.
Channing Arndt, Director of the Centre for Global Trade Analysis, noted that high tariffs and non-tariff barriers continued to impede the free movement of agricultural products across Africa.
Experts at the event highlighted the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in boosting intra-regional food trade, particularly in processed agri-food products.
They called for strengthened regional cooperation to ensure the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, the removal of trade barriers, and increased investment in agricultural development.
ECA simulations suggest that with full implementation of the AfCFTA, intra-continental food trade could increase by over 60 percent by 2045, providing a major boost to food security in Eastern Africa and across the continent.
Some residents in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Monday, March 17, 2025, differed in the use of charcoal and firewood as alternatives to cooking gas.
Charcoal
Some residents who spoke said that they resolved to charcoal and firewood because they last longer.
They said this was in spite of the reduction in the price of cooking gas in the area, which now sells for N1,150 per kilogramme and N14,300 for 12.5kg, against N15,750 and N16,400 in January.
A bag of charcoal sells for N9,000, while firewood costs between N250 to N300 per piece.
A mini truck of firewood, containing about 20 pieces, ranges between N10,000 and N13,000 in price.
Mrs. Sarah Matthew, a resident of Piyawe community in Bwari, said that although she got her gas cylinder for free from a non-governmental organisation (NGO), refueling it had not been easy.
“In 2021, an NGO came here to sensitise us on the use of gas instead of unclean fuels that are harmful to us, especially through inhalation, and advising us to also stop cutting down trees.
“Then, with N3,500 or N4,000, you could fill your cylinder, but not anymore. We cannot even access it directly at the depot in Bwari because of the distance, so we buy from retailers, which is more expensive.
“My problem is that it doesn’t last long, and you’re back to refueling again. But a bag of charcoal lasts twice as long as I can use a refill of gas, and I can manage it to last even longer,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Shekwoyemi Solomon, another resident, said that she had to put her cylinder aside and resume using firewood as that was her family’s initial method of cooking.
She said firewood was a better option for her, in spite of the air pollution, because it was affordable and easier to manage.
According to her, many women in the community, including those in Bwari town, now alternate their cooking options due to changes in prices and resource availability.
”What works for me might not work for others who see using gas as a luxury and are willing to go out of their way to afford and use it.
“For us in this community, we are okay with our charcoal and firewood.”
However, Mrs. Anna Jacob, another resident, said that using charcoal or firewood was not an option for her.
“I cannot stand the stress and pollution that come from using charcoal or firewood.
“The price of gas has reduced in the past months, and it is my prayer and hope that it will continue to go further down to a more affordable price, like it was in the past,” she said.
In the same vein, Mr. Joseph Olagunju, an environmental expert and an advocate for the use of clean energy, said that the high cost of cooking gas had forced most people to resort to cutting down trees for fuel.
“‘The resultant effects of these activities may increase emissions and deforestation.
“‘This is against our campaign for tree planting; and with fewer communities having flora and trees, people are more likely to absorb methane gases released into the atmosphere.
“I believe that one of the best ways to reach out to people who are still dependent on trees for fuel is to reduce LPG prices and make it affordable to households at all levels,” he said.
Olagunju, who described charcoal and firewood as unclean fuels, said they were dangerous, adding that their effects were not instant but gradual.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says it has noted the comments made by the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr. Festus Osifo, during the union’s recent protest at the headquarters of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), at Victoria Island, Lagos, over alleged anti-labour practices and expatriate abuses by the company.
Felix Omatsola Ogbe, head of the NCDMB
NCDMB commends the PENGASSAN leader for acknowledging that qualified Nigerian personnel are occupying top leadership and technical positions in most international and indigenous operating oil and gas companies and are performing creditably in those roles.
He noted rightly that Nigerians are executing complex functions in the floating production and storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms like Bonga, Agbami, USAN, AKPO, Egina, etc. Indeed, Nigerian oil and gas workers performed almost all operations in the oil and gas industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and kept the industry afloat, after most expatriates returned to their home countries.
These feats were accomplished through NCDMB’s strategic implementation and enforcement of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, particularly the Expatriate Quota, Succession Plan and Deployment of Expatriates Guidelines and Expatriate Work Temporary Work Permit Guidelines.
The successes were also enabled by the several Nigerian Content capacity building interventions that prepared and placed qualified Nigerians in key positions in the oil and gas industry. Through enforcement and compliance oversight, the Board ensured that 609 technical positions were Nigerianised for the period 2020-2024.
The NCDMB submitted: “We are delighted that PENGASSAN served as a whistle blower over the alleged expatriate quota abuse by the management of Sterling Oil, and we assure the union and the general public that we would investigate the matter exhaustively and take necessary actions.
“We can confirm that NCDMB had sanctioned SEEPCO a few years ago for gross violations of the NOGICD Act. Recently, we have been engaging the company for the same reasons. Our regulatory engagements with the firm are outlined below.”
In 2017, the NCDMB identified five expatriates deployed by SEEPCO without obtaining the relevant NCDMB approvals. As a result, NCDMB penalized the company for this non-compliant deployment of expatriates. To remediate this, SEEPCO trained five Nigerians in Marine Engineering and Subsurface Drilling Engineering for nine months.
In 2018, NCDMB identified 402 expatriates deployed by SEEPCO without approval. Additionally, NCDMB discovered projects, contracts, and purchase orders from multiple projects that were awarded and executed without appropriate approvals. NCDMB penalised SEEPCO for these infractions and directed SEEPCO and its affiliates to take the following actions:
Disengage the 402 expatriates and provide evidence of their disengagement and exit to the Board.
Commence and comply with the NCDMB Expatriate Quota application process.
Comply with the Board’s requirements for tendering and awarding projects, contracts, and purchase orders.
Complete the Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) reconciliation exercise and pay outstanding remittances.
Submit up-to-date statutory reports on Nigerian Content and comply with the review process.
Train and employ 40 Nigerians as part of the remediation/penalty.
3. Regrettably SEEPCO ignored those directives until the Board commenced legal proceedings against the firm, in line with section 68 of the NOGICD Act.
4. In 2020, SEEPCO sought an out-of-court settlement and committed to addressing the compliance issues and undertaking the remediation. SEEPCO completed the training of 40 Nigerians in 2022, but the employment commitment was not achieved. Additionally, SEEPCO made only partial NCDF remittances.
5. SEEPCO has refused to respond and comply with other Nigerian Content requirements.
6. In 2023, SEEPCO obtained Expatriate Quota approval from the Board for three positions.
7. From our records SEEPCO has been granted only seven expatiate positions between 2017 to 2023.
8. The Board has requested for statutory submissions from SEEPCo and scheduled performance review session for March 2025.
Conclusion
NCDMB Expatriate Quota approvals and compliance and enforcement is applicable to only companies with investments or executing projects in the oil and gas industry. Non-oil and gas Expatriate Quota utilisation does not come to the Board, but rather directly to the Ministry of Interior.
NCDMB is committed to the effective implementation and enforcement of the NOGICD Act in the oil and gas sector, with a view to creating employment opportunities for Nigerians, deepening Nigerian Content and boosting the economy.
The Board will not fail to sanction firms that flagrantly flout provisions of the NOGICD Act. The Board welcomes collaboration of stakeholders, including oil unions towards achieving the intendments of the NOGICD Act.
