Shell has agreed to sell its entire interest in the Shell Nigeria Gas Group, which runs a domestic natural gas distribution network, to Nigerian energy firm Vaaris Energy Limited.

The deal, announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, covers Shell Petroleum B.V.’s full stake in the business. Shell Nigeria Gas, established in 1998, operates about 170 kilometres of pipelines across Ogun, Abia and Rivers states and supplies more than 130 industrial and commercial customers. Financial terms were not disclosed. Completion remains subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

Shell said the business will continue operating as normal and serving customers until the transaction closes. The company does not participate in upstream production, LNG or international gas trading through this unit.

Elohor Aiboni, Shell’s Country Chair in Nigeria, said: “Shell Nigeria Gas has served industrial and commercial customers in Nigeria for more than 25 years, supported by the commitment and expertise of its people. We believe this agreement provides a much stronger platform for the business’ next chapter under new ownership. Shell continues to focus on strategic Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions in Nigeria.”

The sale forms part of Shell’s broader strategy under CEO Wael Sawan to simplify its portfolio and concentrate on higher-return assets. It follows the company’s completed exit from onshore oil production in Nigeria, when it sold the Shell Petroleum Development Company to the Renaissance consortium in 2025.

Vaaris Energy is a privately held Nigerian company with interests across the oil and gas value chain and an existing operational presence in the country.

Image credit : FAO

By Ochefa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has recognised 22 African women among its 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, with Nigeria conspicuously absent from the list.

The initiative, launched to mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, celebrates women whose contributions are advancing agriculture, strengthening food security and transforming rural communities worldwide.

The honourees represent diverse segments of the agrifood value chain, with achievements spanning market access, job creation, skills development, environmental conservation and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.

According to the initiative, their work demonstrates the critical role women play in building inclusive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.

22 African Honourees

The 22 women recognised come from different parts of the continent.

They include Teresa de Castro Vieira Mariz of Angola; Senait Gezahegn of Ethiopia; Lembie Tlhalerwa of Botswana; Simone Kountangni of Benin; and Amal Mekni of Tunisia.

Others are Grace Tumeo Bwanali of Zambia; Victoria Matebogo of South Africa; Didja Djaili Garga of Cameroon; Sanou Adiarra of Burkina Faso; and Zipporah Nyaguthii Gitonga of Kenya.

The list also features Sylvie Yakanandji of the Central African Republic; Pelegrinah Musingwini of Zimbabwe; Basamat Suliman Mursal Khalil of Sudan; Brenda Tsiba Djouassa of Gabon; and Alimata Coulibaly of Côte d’Ivoire.

Completing the list are Crescentia Mushobozi of the United Republic of Tanzania; Hasna Meeke Ahmed of Djibouti; Rozina Mebrahtu of Eritrea; Awa Jagne of The Gambia; Malerato Mary Khoeli of Lesotho; Berdiss Mohamed of Mauritania; and Nadege Uwamahoro of Rwanda.

Nigeria’s Absence Raises Questions

Despite agriculture’s importance to Nigeria’s economy and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, no Nigerian woman appears among the 22 African honourees identified in the list provided.

The omission raises questions about the visibility and international recognition of Nigerian women working across the agricultural value chain, from farming and processing to agribusiness, research and rural development.

Counterpoint Research has reported drops in global smartphone shipments by 20% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, hitting the lowest level for the period in 14 years, or since 2012.

The report published on Monday showed that persistent memory shortages and rising component costs disrupted supply and pushed retail prices up.

Smartphone retail prices have increased by 20% so far in 2026 as manufacturers pass higher memory costs on to consumers.

Counterpoint said rising prices for DRAM and NAND memory components inflated bill of materials (BOM) costs, deepened supply shortages and disrupted shipments.

Manufacturers were forced to adjust shipment plans, raise prices and prioritise profitability over sales volumes.

The pressure is changing consumer behaviour. Buyers are holding on to their devices longer and considering alternatives.

“Consumers are holding on to their devices longer than estimated, increasingly considering refurbished devices and prioritizing higher-value devices,” said Shilpi Jain, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.

According to the report, Samsung and Apple gain market share during the period under review.

Samsung retained its position as the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer in the third quarter, accounting for 23% of global shipments despite a 3% year on year decline in shipment volume.

Counterpoint attributed Samsung’s performance to demand for its Galaxy Z Fold8 series and stable component supplies for its mid-range devices.

Apple’s market share reached 22%, crossing 20% for the first time in a third quarter, despite a year on year decline in shipments.

The absence of a base iPhone 18 model resulted in a smaller launch-month channel fill than the full iPhone 17 lineup a year earlier.

Counterpoint said the iPhone 18 Pro models recorded a stronger launch than their predecessors, particularly in China and India, while continued momentum from the iPhone 17 series helped offset the shipment decline.