Rivers State has become the first state in Nigeria to host a crude oil exporting terminal following the commissioning of the $400 million Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) Crude Export Terminal on Wednesday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Tinubu stated that the project marks a new era in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, aligning with his administration’s core priorities of boosting crude oil production and ensuring a secure, transparent, and efficient evacuation system.

He explained that the Otakikpo terminal will not only serve GEIL’s production but will also open new evacuation outlets for marginal and stranded fields across the Niger Delta region. This, he said, would result in a significant increase in reserve barrels and create greater economic value.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, represented the president at the event.

Tinubu emphasized that the project exemplifies his administration’s expectations of current licensees. He further noted that with the introduction of globally competitive fiscal frameworks and incentives, he expects operators to meet their minimum work obligations and ensure steady productivity.

In reference to the peace resolution between the people of Ogoni and the Federal Government, the President stated that the government is working hand in hand with local communities and stakeholders to pave the way for the proper resumption of oil exploration activities in the area.

Tinubu also described the project as a notable advancement, demonstrating Nigeria’s collective commitment to peacebuilding, collaboration, harmony, and good governance. He stressed that the project’s flag-off marks a renewed confidence in Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

“Today’s commissioning is more than just the opening of a terminal; it is a testament to Nigeria’s resilience and commitment — a new era of indigenous participation and progress in the oil and gas sector,” he said.

Addressing the financing challenges in the oil and gas sector, President Tinubu declared the end of such an era, assuring that the proposed $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) would soon begin operations to provide easier access to funding.

“Let me also assure Green Energy that the era of seeking finance elsewhere will soon be over. We have discovered that Africa’s biggest challenge is access to finance, which is why we established the African Energy Bank, ready to take off.
Nigeria, as the host country, has met all its obligations — legal and financial — and we expect the bank to commence operations any moment from now,” he said.

The president also highlighted crude oil evacuation as a major issue, noting that the new 750,000-barrel facility, which is expandable to 3 million barrels, will help tackle existing challenges in the sector.

He warned against holding oil licenses indefinitely without carrying out meaningful fieldwork, emphasizing that “the era of idle licenses is over.”

“There is always a minimum work obligation, and it must be met by all who hold marginal licenses. If you lack the capacity to deliver, it’s better to seek other ventures rather than waste time in the oil and gas sector,” he cautioned.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, described the terminal as historic on two fronts: it expands Nigeria’s crude export infrastructure at a critical time and showcases the ability of Nigerian operators to deliver world-class projects.

Komolafe noted that the Otakikpo terminal aligns with Nigeria’s 1.8 million barrels per day production target and supports the country’s drive for efficient crude evacuation. He added that creating an alternative export hub in Rivers State would reduce over-reliance on existing terminals, many of which are operating at near-full capacity and are vulnerable to security and pipeline disruptions.

Commending indigenous operators Komolafe stated that they now account for 30 per cent of national production, a milestone that reflects Nigeria’s growing control of its oil and gas industry. He further observed that the Otakikpo terminal has transformed local operators’ dependence on international oil companies, granting them greater control over evacuation, improving margins, reducing delays, and enhancing competitiveness.

Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman and Chief Executive of GEIL, stated that the terminal currently has a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, expandable to 3 million barrels, with a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day. He also disclosed that since June 2025, the facility has completed four export operations totaling one million barrels of crude oil.

Adegbulugbe described the terminal as a catalyst for national renewal, unlocking access to over 40 stranded fields in the region, and more than 3 million barrels of reserves previously delayed by the lack of export infrastructure. According to him, these fields alone could contribute over 200,000 barrels per day to Nigeria’s total production.

He expressed pride in the project’s indigenous origin and execution:

“This should give us all confidence — Nigerian innovation can drive Nigerian success. Indigenous operators can execute world-class projects with excellence, within budget, and ahead of schedule,” Adegbulugbe said.

By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), has responded to 19 queries raised against it in the audit reports of 2017 to 2023.

Chairman of the Committee Sen. Aliyu Wadada made the clarification in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Wadada said that NNPCL had responded to the queries, adding that the committee is yet to critically look at the responses provided by NNPCL.

The committee had on July 29, gave the Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mr Bayo Ojulari, three weeks to respond to 19 queries on the N210 trillion yet to be accounted for, in the audited account of company.

“While we were on recess, management of NNPCL wrote to the committee, requesting an extension of time to enable them compile data and respond comprehensively to the questions we raised and we granted that request.

“They had since responded and we now have answers to all 19 questions we sent to them; however, the report is yet to be presented before the committee.

“That is why, as chairman, I have refrained from making any public statement on the matter until it is properly laid before members.

“But let me assure you, as I promised earlier on behalf of the committee, we will do justice to the matter.”

He said that beyond the audited financial statements, there were other issues emerging around the NNPCL.
According to him, the first of such issues is production sharing contracts.

“Specifically, the production cost to Nigeria which must be clearly defined, and the public deserves to know what portion goes to the NNPCL, what goes to the international oil companies (IOCs) and what accrues to the government under the production sharing arrangement.

“Furthermore, the committee has been informed that NNPCL Retail has declared a loss.

“This development is also of concern to us and to the public, we find it difficult to understand why NNPCL retail should record a loss, but we will seek clarification when the corporation appears before us.

“As far as the audited financial statements are concerned which cover the period between 2017 and 2023. NNPC has submitted its responses to the 19 questions we asked. Nigerians and the media will be informed of the contents in due course.

“Out of those answers, the ones that make sense and those that do not will be evident to the public”, he stressed.

The Federal Government is to partner with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable livelihoods in the semi-arid region of the country.

This resolution was taken during the Federal Technical Committee (FTC) meeting of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, held with the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by stakeholders to review the project’s progress and examine its Annual Work Plan for the upcoming implementation year.

This is as the Project has restored 800,000 hectares of degraded landscapes and its activities impacted over eight million persons in Northern Nigeria.

ACReSAL is a World Bank-financed project designed to tackle the pressing issues of land degradation and climate change in 19 states of Northern Nigeria.

Mr Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment described the gathering as a defining moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of environmental sustainability and community resilience.

“As we confront the realities of climate change, drought, and food insecurity, our shared vision through ACReSAL is transforming into concrete action.

“This plan embodies our collective responsibility to restore degraded lands, strengthen livelihoods, and secure a sustainable future for millions of Nigerians,” Kambari said.

Also speaking, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirmed the ministry’s full support for the project’s objectives.

“The ACReSAL project aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen food security through climate-smart agriculture.

“By promoting drought-tolerant crops, soil restoration, and improved farming practices, we are empowering small holder farmers and building resilience in rural communities. Together, we can ensure that our agricultural sector continues to thrive despite environmental challenges,” Ogunbiyi assured.

Also, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted the project’s critical role in protecting Nigeria’s water ecosystems and improving sanitation standards in semi-arid regions.

“ACReSAL offers a comprehensive approach to managing our fragile water systems, through watershed rehabilitation, sustainable irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.

“We are not only preserving water resources but also enhancing public health and agricultural productivity. Our ministry remains committed to providing the technical leadership necessary to advance water security across the country,” Pheelangwah assured.

Mr Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, delivered a presentation on the project’s current status and impact across the participating states.

He said that ACReSAL’s interventions are technologically driven and encompasses afforestation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, erosion and flood control livelihood initiatives, climate-smart agriculture, water management, capacity building and policy development.,

“Strategic catchment management planning, institutional strengthening, and environmental education initiatives, are all geared toward long-term impacts and sustainable environments,” Umar said.

He sais that so far, the project has restored over 800,000 hectares of degraded landscapes adding that civil works have reached an almost completion stage in some states.

He further stated that out of the wide range of impactful activities implemented in the state, 8,708,291 persons have benefited from the project intervention, with 4,120,649 being women.

Umar stated that ACReSAL has successfully addressed numerous environmental challenges, including those that once plagued communities in the Nguru Wetlands and Hadejia axis of the Northeast, now cited as classical examples of the project’s transformative impact.

The ACReSAL project seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change in northern Nigeria by restoring degraded lands, improving water management, increasing agricultural yields, and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

The meeting concluded with a collective call for continued inter-ministerial synergy to ensure that ACReSAL delivers measurable benefits to communities most affected by desertification, drought, and land degradation.