News
SA to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen urges investors to seize new opportunities in Nigeria’s energy sector
…Says IOCs invested $82 billion in deepwater outside Nigeria since 2013
The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen has urged investors to seize new opportunities in Nigeria’s energy sector, highlighting untapped potential and recent reforms to attract capital.
Speaking to a diverse audience, at the ongoing African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, she underscored the untapped potential within the industry and discussed the recent reforms implemented by the President Bola Tinubu administration to attract investment.
Verheijen noted that the country has historically underperformed in oil and gas production despite Nigeria’s wealth in the oil and gas industry.
She referenced how countries like Brazil that has only 30% of Nigeria’s oil reserves has outperformed by producing 131% more than current production of Nigeria.
“Despite our abundant endowments, we have underperformed against our potential. For example, Brazil holds only 30% of Nigeria’s oil reserves but produces 131% more.
This is largely due to under-investment,” she said. She said that since 2016, Nigeria has attracted only 4% of African oil and gas investments, while investment has surged in other, less resource-rich nations.
“Since 2016, Nigeria has managed to attract only 4 percent of total investments in oil and gas, while less resourced countries in Africa have enjoyed a bigger share.
When we analyzed investment data, we also found that, between 2013, when Nigeria’s last deepwater project reached FID, and now, IOCs operating in Nigeria have committed more than $82 billion in deepwater investments in other countries that they have deemed to be more attractive destinations for their capital.”
Recognizing this trend, the presidential aide highlighted many efforts by President Tinubu’s administration to enact reforms aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s investment landscape.
Among these initiatives, she said the government has introduced fiscal incentives targeting deep offshore and non-associated gas projects, marking the first time Nigeria has outlined a fiscal framework specifically for deepwater gas.
In efforts to enhance the upstream Oil and Gas sector, she said her office has collaborated closely with the office of the National Security Adviser to create and distribute focused Security Directives, leveraging insights garnered from on-ground operators.
Additionally, Verheijen revealed steps to streamline approval processes by clearly defining the regulatory scopes involved.
This initiative, she said, aims to significantly reduce the extended project timelines that have historically plagued the industry, as well as the high-cost premiums associated with operating in Nigeria.
She added, “Our target is to shorten the contracting timelines from an extensive 38 months to just 135 days, while also working to eliminate the 40% cost premium that currently exists within the Nigerian petroleum industry.
The presidential aide also revealed efforts by the current President Tinubu administration to further open up the oil and gas sector for bigger investments with a set of clear fiscal incentives for Non-Associated Gas and Deep offshore Oil & Gas exploration and production.
“This is the first time that Nigeria is outlining a fiscal framework for Deepwater gas since exploration in the basin commenced in 1991,” She said.
According to her, amongst other initiatives, there has been a focus on midstream and downstream investments in Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas, and electric vehicles as part of the Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative.
She added that the administration has also worked to streamline regulatory processes, shorten project timelines, and reduce the high-cost premium of operating in Nigeria.
“We have also introduced fiscal incentives to catalyze investments in the midstream and downstream sectors, including, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Mini Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
“These align with the broader Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative, which seeks to enable the displacement of PMS and Diesel in three key sectors: heavy transport, decentralised power generation and cooking.
These incentives are also stimulating demand for Electric Vehicles. “Our goal is to eliminate the 40% cost premium within the Nigerian petroleum industry and cut down contracting timelines from 38 months to 135 days,” Verheijen stated.
She said the government has unlocked over $1 billion across the energy value chain, with two more major investment projects expected by mid-2025.
“We are also facilitating the transfer of onshore and shallow water assets to local companies with the capacity to grow production, while supporting the transition of International Oil Companies, with resilient capital, into deep offshore and integrated gas.
We have unlocked over $1 billion in investments across the value chain and by the middle of 2025 we expect to see FID on two more projects, including a multibillion-dollar deepwater exploration project, which will be the first of its kind in Nigeria in over a decade – one of many to come.
Verheijen also addressed efforts by the Tinubu administration to revamp the nation’s power sector, with plans to provide more reliable electricity access for the 86 million Nigerians currently underserved.
She said the scheme aims to improve revenue assurance and collection. Other key measures include tackling legacy debt, deploying seven million smart meters to reduce losses, and expanding off-grid solutions for remote communities.
By 2027, Nigeria aims to ensure 20 hours of electricity daily for consumers in urban areas and industrial hubs.
Highlighting recent macroeconomic reforms such as petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalization, Verheijen expressed confidence that Nigeria is set for unprecedented growth.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is championing reforms to unlock its vast economic potential and create jobs,” she concluded, inviting foreign partners to participate in Nigeria’s next chapter of growth.
Abiodun OladunjoyeDirector of Information State House, AbujaNovember 7, 2024
Crime
Alleged money laundering: Yahaya Bello’s name not on property documents, EFCC witness tells court
Case adjourned to March 6, 7 for continuation of trial
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to March 6 and 7, 2025, for continuation of trial.
The court adjourned after the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called his two witnesses, one on subpoena.
When Pinheiro, SAN, called the first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected, saying that the witness’ name was not included in the initial list of witnesses provided by the prosecution.
This, he said, could affect his cross-examination.
The trial, however, proceeded and the witness, who identified himself as the General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, was asked to tell the court what he knows about a property on 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama and another one in Gwarinpa.
Adeleke told the court that the name of the former governor did not reflect on any of the two properties being examined on Monday and that he did not sight him throughout the transactions.
Giving an account of what transpired, he said sometime in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to a young man called Shehu Bello and that they had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property.
“We had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property in question. And he told me that the young man would be coming back to make payment for the property at an agreed price of N550 million,” he said.
When asked if he had seen Shehu Bello since that day, he said, “I saw him three times. The first time was for introduction, the second time for payment and the third time was when he brought a legal document for the execution of the EFAB property.”
The EFCC lawyer then mentioned another property at 5th Avenue in Gwarinpa and told the witness to tell the court what he knows about it.
Responding, the witness said the property was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million and was paid for through a bank transfer.
He was asked if he remembered which bank the money came from, but he said no.
On cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Daudu, SAN, asked if the witness’ actions were purely based on the instructions of his chairman. He responded, “Yes.”
The counsel further asked whether it was correct to say that he did not initiate any discussion with Shehu Bello on his own, to which he also answered, “Yes.”
On the documents signed for the transactions, the Defendant’s Counsel asked the witness if he could confirm that Shehu Bello signed his own part in his presence.
“He did not my Lord,” he answered.
Daudu, SAN, also asked: “Throughout this transaction, did you set eye on the defendant?”
“Not at anytime in the course of this transaction,” the witness responded.
He was also asked if the name of the defendant appeared anywhere on the documents he said were with the EFCC.
He, again, answered, “no!”
The Prosecution then told the court that they had another witness to call, on subpoena.
The Defendant’s Counsel objected that they were being taken by surprise but added that he had no intention of stalling the trial.
The second witness identified herself as Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).
She had the subpoena with her, which the lawyer sought to tender as evidence.
The Defendant’s counsel had no objection and it was marked “Exhibit 1”.
The witness read out the documents the subpoena asked for to include the statement of account of Kogi State Government House, from January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2024.
The statements of account of Maselina Njoku, from January 1 to December 31, 2022, were also admitted in evidence, including the account opening packages of American International School and statements of accounts, from September 1 to September 30, 2020.
Justice Emeka Nwite then adjourned to March 6 and 7, 2025 for continuation of trial.
The family of late elder statesman and Afenifere leader, Chief Samuel Ayo Adebanjo, has announced the funeral arrangements for the revered nationalist, who passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 96.
According to the family, the burial ceremonies, scheduled to hold on Saturday May 3, 2025, will take place in Lagos and Ogun States.
In a statement sent to Ohibaba.com and signed by Ms Ayotunde Ayo-Adebanjo, the family said:
Following the passing of our patriarch, elder statesman and nationalist, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo (April 10, 1928 – February 14, 2025), the family hereby notifies you of the funeral activities:
1. Day of Tributes/ Service of Songs: Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Venue: Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos Time: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
2. Wake: Date: Friday, May 2, 2025, Venue: Pa Ayo Adebanjo’s Country Home, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00
3. Church Service/Final Burial: Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025, Venue: St Phillips Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
4. Thanksgiving: Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 Venue: St Phillips Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
We covet your prayers for the family and your professional support as wecontinue with the preparations to give him a most befitting burial. We alsolook forward to your esteemed presence at all the events.
Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, have been sworn in for a fresh four year term.
The Chief Justice of the state, Olusegun Odusola administered the oath to Aiyedatiwa and Adelami amid the presence of the people of the state and dignitaries who witnessed the event.
While taking the oath of office, the number one and number two citizens vowed to uphold the constitution, work within its dictates, and ensure the well-being of the people of the state.
The inauguration marks the takeoff of a new administration in Ondo State.
Present at the oath-taking event were the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Ekiti, Abiodun Oyebanji, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande, among others.
Alleged money laundering: Yahaya Bello’s name not on property documents, EFCC witness tells court
Chief Ayo Adebanjo scheduled for Burial on May 3, 2025
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