Business
NNPCL wants to build five LNG plants in Kogi
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed this at the 13th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) forum
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is set to establish five mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi in 2025.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed this at the 13th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) forum.
In a statement by her Chief Press Secretary Arogbonlo Israel, the Kogi Central lawmaker said the projects would be flagged off next year, describing them as the largest concentration of such projects in one senatorial district in the country.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said: “I would like to appreciate NNPC and the industry experts who have also considered and humbled us at Ajaokuta Local Government, with the (not too sure if it’s too early to speak about it), establishment of five mini LNG plants which will be flagged off early next year.
“This is actually the largest concentration of such projects in one district in the entire country. Five, not one, two, three, four, but five mini LNG plants will be established in Ajaokuta by God’s grace next year (2025).
“That’s good news for us, good news for Nigeria. So what does that mean?
This and many others are just pivotal, it’s important to know that if there’s any place in the country where we should situate a technology hub that will not only drive innovations but talk about the testing and brainstorming around the various kinds of metals and what these metals can do for the industry. It’s just Ajaokuta Local Government,“ she said.
Business
Cybercriminals cloning DStv, other brands to steal bank accounts across Africa
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
Cybercriminals are impersonating popular companies and government agencies across Africa in a campaign designed to take over smartphones and bank accounts.
More than 100 fake websites linked to the malware campaign have been identified since August 2025.
Brands including DStv, Takealot and South African Airways, as well as the South African Revenue Service (SARS), are being used to make fraudulent messages and websites appear legitimate.
According to cybersecurity company NordVPN, the campaign distributes Remote Access Trojans (RATs) and banking trojans, forms of malware that can give criminals control over infected devices and access to sensitive information.
The attacks are particularly concerning in South Africa, where Android dominates the mobile operating system market.
NordVPN said the attacks typically begin with social engineering, where criminals send convincing messages through SMS, WhatsApp or social media.
The messages may contain urgent offers or requests involving job opportunities, tax refunds, identity renewals or pension verification.
Victims are then directed to fake websites designed to closely resemble the official websites of trusted organisations.
The sites encourage users to download an Android application. Once installed, the malicious software can operate quietly in the background, including after the smartphone is restarted.
Business
Cement price hits N16,000 per bag
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
• Chairman of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR)
Cement dealers across Nigeria have announced fresh price increases, with a 50kg bag now selling for as much as N16,000 in some markets, up from N13,000 recorded by buyers just days earlier.
The current cement prices mark a steep rise from late 2024, when a bag sold for around N7,500.
By the third quarter of 2025, that had risen to about N9,000 before reaching the N12,000 to N16,000 range now seen across different locations.
Other building materials have followed a similar upward path. Blocks have climbed from around N600 to N1,100 each.
Sand has gone from N165,000 to N250,000 per 30 tonnes. Granite has risen from N530,000 to N780,000 per 30 tonnes.
Reinforcing steel now costs N1.15 million per tonne, up from N850,000.
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Friday, August 21
BLACK MARKET RATES
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,405 Sell ₦1,410
Great British Pound(GBP) Buy ₦1,890 Sell: ₦1,915
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,590 Sell ₦1,610
Canadian Dollar (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080
South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90Ghana CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
West African CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250
CBN Exchange Rates
US Dollar (USD) ₦1,374.63
Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,838.70
EURO (EUR) ₦1,574.97
Swiss Franc (CHF) ₦1,687.70
Chinese Yuan (CNY) ₦200.42
Japanese Yen (Yen) ₦8.49
West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.37
West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,848.41
Saudi Riyal (SAR) ₦358.91
South African Rand (ZAR) ₦83.35
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