By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 3 June 2026 hosted a high-level diplomatic cocktail reception in Abuja, bringing together ambassadors, high commissioners, heads of missions, and senior government officials in a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening international cooperation, trade relations, and institutional partnerships.

The event, held at the rooftop of the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja, also attracted the Chief of the Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the Customs Management, and other senior officials from key security and government institutions.

Welcoming the diplomatic community, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed appreciation for the sustained support of international partners in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing global trade cooperation with Nigeria.

“We recognize and appreciate your contributions to strengthening diplomatic and trade relations. The Service remains committed to providing the support and services required for diplomatic missions to operate effectively in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that NCS continues to deepen its global footprint through structured collaboration frameworks with over twenty customs administrations worldwide, focusing on knowledge exchange, capacity development, and operational synergy aimed at improving trade facilitation and border management.

According to him, sustained collaboration among customs administrations, diplomatic missions, and security agencies remains critical to achieving efficient border security, enhanced revenue generation, and improved economic competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.

The CGC further emphasised that modern Customs administration now operates within a highly interconnected global system, requiring continuous engagement, trust-building, and shared responsibility among international partners to address emerging challenges in trade, security, and compliance management.

He added that platforms such as the diplomatic reception provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, relationship building, and the exploration of new areas of cooperation that will further strengthen Nigeria’s trade and diplomatic architecture.

The evening concluded with networking sessions and goodwill messages from participants, with senior government officials and diplomatic representatives commending the NCS for its consistent efforts in fostering stronger institutional ties and promoting an enabling environment for international collaboration.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is set to visit Benue State to commission the newly built ultra modern Bensono Concentrate Plant, Benva Juice Factory, and the Motorcycle Assembly Plant in Makurdi, Benue State.

Alia disclosed this while speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting the factories and the plant ahead of the commissioning.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of completion and readiness of the facilities ahead of their official commissioning.

The governor, accompanied by the Speaker of the 10th Benue State House of Assembly, Aondoaver Emberga, described the projects as major milestones in the state’s industrialisation drive and efforts to transform Benue from a predominantly agrarian economy into a hub for agro-processing and manufacturing.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Governor Alia commended the management of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), particularly its Group Managing Director, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, CFA, for delivering the projects within record time.

“It is exciting to hear and see that the companies are ready for commissioning. This fourth year is our year of commissioning, and I am hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will graciously come and commission these projects for us. Very soon, we shall begin commissioning all the projects embarked upon by this administration,” the governor stated.

Governor Alia noted that the establishment of the Bensono Concentrate Plant and Benva Juice Factory would significantly reduce post-harvest losses, a challenge that has long affected fruit farmers across the state.

According to him, the factories will provide a ready market for locally produced fruits, improve farmers’ incomes, and stimulate economic activities across the agricultural value chain.

“Our farmers have suffered greatly over the years. Almost every family has an orchard farm, but buyers often come from outside the state and dictate prices that do not reflect the true value of the farmers’ hard work. These factories will change that narrative,” he said.

He urged farmers to increase production in anticipation of the factories’ operations, assuring them that the state government was committed to creating sustainable markets for their produce.

“Buyers can still purchase our oranges, but the process will now be more controlled and beneficial to our people. Whether through concentrates or juice production, the value will remain within the state. It is a win-win situation for our farmers and the economy of Benue State,” the governor added.

The governor also inspected 525 motorcycles assembled by the company under a partnership arrangement between the Benue State Government and a Chinese firm. The partnership was initiated during Governor Alia’s investment mission to the People’s Republic of China in 2024.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, explained that the agro-processing factories were established to create value from Benue’s abundant agricultural produce, particularly oranges, mangoes, and tomatoes.

He said the projects were designed to tackle the persistent challenge of post-harvest losses while creating jobs and generating revenue for the state.

“We want to add value to what our farmers produce and drastically reduce the post-harvest losses that have been witnessed in Benue State for decades. Economic growth must be inclusive, and these projects are built around an inclusive model that directly benefits farmers,” Asemakaha said.

The BIPC GMD disclosed that both factories were fully completed and ready to commence production immediately after commissioning.

“Our factories are ready. We are only awaiting the official commissioning. Once that is done, full production will commence. We believe these facilities will change the economic landscape of Benue State,” he stated.

Asemakaha lamented that for many years Benue farmers had produced raw agricultural commodities that were transported out of the state, creating wealth and jobs elsewhere.

“For years, our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters have laboured to grow produce that others use to build their economies and industries. We are determined to stop that trend by ensuring that value addition takes place here in Benue,” he said.

He further revealed that the orange concentrate to be produced at the Benfruits plant would target both local and international markets.

Citing raw materials council data, Asemakaha noted that Nigeria spent approximately ₦68 billion importing fruit concentrates in 2025 despite having abundant raw materials.

“The Raw Materials Research and Development Council has indicated that Nigeria imported about ₦68 billion worth of concentrates in 2025. We have the oranges here in Benue. There is no reason we should continue importing what we can produce locally. Our goal is to substitute imports and eventually export our concentrates to the international market,” he explained.

He expressed confidence that the factories would position Benue as a leading producer of fruit concentrates and processed beverages in Nigeria while creating employment opportunities for thousands of residents.

The projects form part of Governor Alia’s industrialisation and investment agenda aimed at boosting local production, creating jobs, increasing internally generated revenue, and unlocking the state’s vast agricultural potential.

By David Torough, Abuja

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has achieved a major operational milestone by increasing its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), exceeding its official nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd.

The breakthrough was confirmed during a performance test conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, further reinforcing the facility’s status as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery.

According to a statement issued in Lagos by the refinery’s Head of Corporate Communications, Anthony Chiejina, the achievement reflects the strength of the refinery’s engineering design and operational efficiency.

Speaking on the development, the Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, revealed that plans are underway to expand the refinery’s processing capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months, with the ambition of ranking among the world’s largest refining complexes.

Edwin said the planned expansion would significantly enhance Nigeria’s energy security, end dependence on imported petroleum products, and strengthen the country’s position as a leading exporter of refined petroleum products. He added that the refinery’s long-term vision is to serve not only domestic demand but also become a major refining hub for Africa and international markets.

Owned by Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other petroleum products. Its products are supplied to both local and international markets, with exports reaching several African countries and European destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. The refinery has also exported gasoline to the United States and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia.

The facility has become a critical stabilising force in global energy markets, particularly during periods of supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. As a result, several African nations now rely on its output to support their energy needs.

In April, S&P Global Commodities ranked Dangote Petroleum Refinery as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel, highlighting its growing influence in the international energy sector.

Beyond strengthening fuel availability in Nigeria, the refinery has helped reduce the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum products and eased pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Its continued growth aligns with national efforts to increase local refining capacity and maximise value from Nigeria’s crude oil resources.

The refinery’s rising production levels have attracted growing interest from international crude suppliers and commodity traders, with feedstock sourced from both local and foreign producers.

Looking ahead, Aliko Dangote has reaffirmed plans to increase the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million bpd by 2028. The expansion is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including job creation, increased industrial activity, and improved trade performance.

The refinery is also expected to boost downstream manufacturing through the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene, and other industrial feedstocks used in producing packaging materials and consumer goods. Future projects include the production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material widely used in detergent manufacturing.