Business

NNPC / Heirs Energies ends gas flaring at OML 17, seals deals with offtakers

Published

1 month ago

December 10, 2025

The NNPC / Heirs Energies OML 17 Joint Venture on Tuesday signed Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and approved Non-NGFCP frameworks.

At the ceremony held in Lagos, the JV said the event marked a significant transition from regulatory approvals to structured commercial execution, enabling flare gas volumes across OML 17 to be captured and deployed for productive use, including power generation, industrial applications, cooking gas and compressed natural gas, in alignment with Nigeria’s gas development priorities and energy-transition objectives.

The agreements brought together Heirs Energies, as operator of the OML 17 Joint Venture, and approved flare gas offtakers under frameworks designed to eliminate routine flaring while converting previously wasted resources into economic value.

The offtakers are AUT Gas, Twems Energies, Gas & Power Infrastructure Development Limited (PCCD) and Africa Gas & Transport Company Limited.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Seyi Omotowa, representing NNPC Limited, described the milestone as a practical demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to gas-based development.

“For us at NNPC Limited and NUIMS, flare gas commercialisation is not a compliance exercise; it is a strategic pathway to improving energy availability, deepening gas-based industrialisation and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a responsible energy producer. OML 17 has become a practical model of this vision, moving decisively from approval to delivery.”

He commended Heirs Energies for disciplined execution and investment, noting that the JV continues to set benchmarks for operational delivery and gas development within Nigeria’s upstream sector.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, who was represented at the ceremony by the Senior Manager, NUPRC, Mr Ojo Olalekan, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting the implementation of flare gas commercialisation projects and ensuring that operators and offtakers are enabled to deliver bankable, environmentally responsible gas-to-market solutions in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

“This ceremony demonstrates Heirs Energies’ commitment to eliminating routine gas flaring across OML 17 and aligns fully with the commission’s Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and national energy and emission-reduction objectives,” he said.

Heirs Energies’ Chief Executive Officer, Osa Igiehon, noted that the agreements reflect the company’s broader gas-led strategy and brownfield excellence approach, focused on creating long-term value for Nigeria.

“Gas sits at the heart of Nigeria’s development journey. Through disciplined investment, partnership with regulators and credible offtakers, and a clear execution focus, we are converting waste into value, strengthening domestic energy supply and supporting responsible operations across OML 17,” he noted.

Igiehon added that the NGFCP and Non-NGFCP flare gas projects build on recent operational progress by the OML 17 Joint Venture, including a significant increase in gas delivery to the domestic market through brownfield interventions and infrastructure optimisation.

“The JV has also continued to deepen its host-community partnerships through targeted healthcare interventions, education support and skills-development programmes across its areas of operation.

“With the symbolic signing completed, the flare gas offtakers are expected to progress into full project implementation, working closely with the JV, regulators and communities to deliver commercial, environmental and social outcomes.

“The OML 17 NGFCP initiative reinforces Nigeria’s position as a gas-led economy, supporting domestic power generation, industrial growth and responsible resource development while advancing the country’s energy-transition objectives,” he stated.

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Business

EFCC Begins Probe Of Ex-NMDPRA Boss After Dangote’s Petition

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced an investigation into a petition filed against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

It was gathered that Dangote formally submitted the petition to the EFCC earlier this week through his legal representative, following the withdrawal of a similar petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Dangote had initially approached the ICPC, asking it to investigate Ahmed over allegations that he spent about $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland, an expense allegedly inconsistent with his known earnings as a public officer.

Although the petition was later withdrawn, the ICPC had said it would continue with its investigation.

Confirming the new development, a senior EFCC officer at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said the petition had been received and investigations had commenced.

“They have brought the petition to us, and an investigation has commenced on it. Serious work is being done concerning it,” the source said.

In the petition signed by Dangote’s lead counsel, Dr O.J. Onoja (SAN), the businessman urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Ahmed and to prosecute him if found culpable.

The petition further stated that Dangote was ready to provide documentary and other evidence to support claims of financial misconduct and impunity against the former regulator.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned, along with sister agencies, to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders,” the petition read, citing recent court decisions.

Onoja also called on the EFCC, under the leadership of its chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, to thoroughly investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action where necessary.

When contacted, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, declined to comment on the matter but promised to respond later. No official reaction had been received as of the time of filing this report.

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Business

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MONEY TRANSFERS IN NIGERIA (2026)

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Starting from *January 2026*, please ensure that *any money you send* to anyone — including me — comes with a *clear description* or *payment remark*. This is *very important* for tax purposes.

Use descriptions like:

– *Gift*
– *Loan*
– *Loan Repayment*
– *House Rent*
– *School Fees*
– *Feeding*
– *Medical*
– *Support*,
– School fee etc.

*Why this matters:*

In 2026, any money entering your account *without a description* may be treated as *income*, and *IRS (or relevant tax authority)* could tax it — or even worse, ask you to explain the source.

The *first ₦800,000* may be *tax-free*, but after that, any unexplained funds might attract up to *20% tax*, or in extreme cases, lead to legal issues.

So please:

– *Always include a payment remark.*
– *Avoid using USSD or apps that don’t allow descriptions.*
– *Ask the receiver for the correct description BEFORE sending.*

As for me, *do not send me any money* without discussing it with me first.
And no, I don’t want to hear “Sir/Ma, I used USSD” – if you can’t add a description, *hold your money*.

From now on, *I will tell you exactly what to write in the payment remark.*
Let’s all form the habit of *adding payment descriptions now* to avoid problems later.

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Business

FG earmarks N1.7tn in 2026 budget for unpaid contractors

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government has budgeted the sum of N1.7tn in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to settle outstanding debts owed to contractors for capital projects executed in 2024.

A breakdown of the proposed 2026 national budget shows that the amount is captured under the line item titled “Provision for 2024 Outstanding Contractor’s Liabilities,” signalling official recognition of delayed payments to contractors amid recent protests over delayed settlements.

This budgetary provision follows mounting pressure from indigenous contractors and civil society groups who, in 2025, raised alarm over unpaid contractual obligations allegedly exceeding N2tn.

Some groups under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria had also staged demonstrations in Abuja, lamenting the severe impact of delayed payments on their operations, with many contractors reportedly unable to service bank loans taken to execute government projects.

Earlier, Minister of Works David Umahi had promised to clear verified arrears owed to federal contractors before the end of 2025. However, only partial payments were made amid revenue constraints, prompting the inclusion of the N1.7tn line item in the 2026 budget as a catch-up mechanism.

In addition to the N1.7tn for 2024 liabilities, the government has also budgeted N100bn for a separate line item labelled “Payment of Local Contractors’ Debts/Other Liabilities”, which may cover legacy debts from previous years, smaller contract claims, or unsettled financial commitments that were not fully verified in the current audit cycle.

The total N1.8tn allocation is part of the broader N23.2tn capital expenditure in the 2026 fiscal plan, which seeks to ramp up infrastructure delivery while cleaning up past obligations.

Nigeria’s contractor debt backlog has been a recurring fiscal issue, worsened by delayed capital releases, partial cash-backing of budgeted projects, and underperformance in revenue targets.

Speaking with journalists at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in December 2025, the National Secretary of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, Babatunde Seun-Oyeniyi, said the government’s failure to release funds after multiple assurances had forced contractors to resume protests. He said members of the association were owed more than N500bn for projects already completed and commissioned.

He explained that despite recent assurances from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, no payment had been made. “After the National Assembly intervened, they told us that they will sit the minister down over this matter. And we immediately stopped the protest,” he said.

According to him, repeated follow-up meetings with the minister had produced no tangible progress. “They have not responded to our request,” he said. “In fact, more than six times we have come here. Last week, we were here throughout the night before the Minister of Finance came.”

Oyeniyi said that although some payment warrants had been sighted, no funds had been released. “Specifically, when we collate, they are owing more than N500bn for all indigenous contractors. We only see warrants; there is no cash back.”

He accused officials of attempting to push the payments into the next fiscal year. “The problem is that they want to put us into a backlog. They want to shift us to 2026; that 2026, they are going to pay,” he alleged. “They will turn us into debt, and we don’t want that. We won’t leave here until we are paid.”

However, The PUNCH observed that earlier in August 2025, the Federal Government claimed that it had cleared over N2tn in outstanding capital budget obligations from the 2024 fiscal year, with a pledge to prioritise the timely release of 2025 capital funds.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, where he also declared that Nigeria is “open for business” to global investors on the back of improved economic stability.

“In the last quarter, we did pay contractors over N2tn to settle outstanding capital budget obligations. That is from last year,” Edun said. “At the moment, we have no pending obligations that are not being processed and financed. And the focus will now shift to 2025 capital releases.”

By December 2025, The PUNCH reported that President Bola Tinubu expressed “grave displeasure” over the backlog of unpaid federal contractors and set up a high-level committee to resolve the bottlenecks and fund repayments.

Briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President was “upset” after learning that about 2,000 contractors are owed. “He made it very, very clear he is not happy and wants a one-stop solution,” Onanuga told journalists.

Tinubu directed the setting up of a committee to verify all claims from federal contractors. The new budget’s provisions are expected to draw from the outcome of that verification exercise and may be disbursed in tranches based on confirmed and certified claims.

The total proposed 2026 national budget stands at N58.47tn, with N23.2tn earmarked for capital expenditure, N15.9tn for debt servicing, N15.25tn for recurrent spending, and N4.09tn for statutory transfers.

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