Oil & Gas
Commissioner Canvasses Oil Producing Status For Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A former commissioner of Information in Kogi state, Tom Ohikere has said the controversial Ibaji Oil Well belongs to Kogi and should therefore be declared as one of the oil producing states in Nigeria.
Ohikere in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja said the Ibaji oil crisis which has been on for a while now has led to large scale destruction of property with loss of many lives.
According to the statement, the Odeke and Aguleri communities of Kogi and Anambra states as well as the Igala speaking communities in Uzo-Uwani Local government area of Enugu State all laid exclusive claim to the ownership of the oil in the disputed area.
Hon. Ohikere maintain that Kogi state remains the true owner of the Ibaji Oil Well and should be declared as one of the oil producing states in the country for the sake of justice .
Narrating the story, he said the history of oil exploration in Ibaji LGA which comes under Anambra Basin in geological terms dated back to 1952, when villages in this area formed the then Ibaji district of the Old Igala Native Authority in Kabba Province of the Northern Protectorate. It later fell into Kwara and Benue States at one time or the other and now a Local Government Area in Kogi State.
Between 1952 and 1986, three companies namely; Shell BP (now SPDC), Elf (now Total Fina Elf) and AGIP Energy have drilled 25 exploration wells, 2 appraisal wells and 8-core drill wells in the entire Basin out of which majority of the wells fall into Kogi State”. “The NNPC/NPDC on its own carried out seismic activities in the Anambra Basin in which Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi East was largely involved between 1976 and 1983; about 4,500km of 2D seismic were acquired.
From the report of NNPC, Oil and Gas was found to be in commercial quantity in Kogi State”.
According to the former chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Dave Ogwu; “During the exploration activities which includes among other things like cutting, shot holes drilling and exploration wells, compensation was paid to the people of Odeke, Echeno, Ihile, Anocha, Omabo, Ikah, Iregwu and Ujeh in Ibaji local Government Area of Kogi State respectively for damages caused on the farmland, economic trees, fishing ponds and shrine area as a mark of ownership of the land.
However, the exploration of Oil activities in Kogi State, part of Anambra Basin was later abandoned until 18th July, 2001 when the executive governor of Kogi State, Late Prince Abubakar Audu, wrote to the Group Managing Director of NNPC Abuja to remind him of earlier discovery of crude oil at Odeke, Echeno, and Anocha communities in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State, which was abandoned”.
“As a follow up to this call, on 25th July 2001, a team of Geo-Scientist and Engineers was drafted to the area to carry out a preliminary investigation on the claims of Kogi State Government. The resuscitation of these productive core wells in the area among other areas prompted the granting of an Oil License now known as Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 915 and 916 to an indigenous company known as Orient Petroleum Resources PLC.
Orient Petroleum Resources PLC has been taking Crude Oil from OPL 915 since 2012 till date. The percentages of crude oil in the OPL 915 among the three contesting states are as follows; Kogi State- 53%, Anambra- 23%, Enugu- 17% and Edo-3%. No drilling activity from the OPL 916 which belong to Kogi, Anambra and Delta States”. “The activities of Orient Petroleum Resources PLC after acquiring the license to operate OPL 195 and 196 in Ibaji communities are well documented in their communication with Kogi State Government.
“This documentation spans from letter of notification of commencement of exploration activities in Ibaji area, request for appointment of a Liaison officer who will interface between the company, the communities and the State Government on the issue of their activities, request for purchase of shares, report to Kogi State government on the disruption of activities by miscreants etc, which clearly shows that Orient Petroleum Resources PLC knew the Oil belonged to Kogi State”.
According to Kogi State former Commissioner for Information, two-time chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area and the indigene of Odeke community in Ibaji, Emmanuel Egwaba “The unilateral declaration of Anambra state alone in 2012 as oil producing state led to uprising in the disputed area and since then no 13% derivation was paid to either Anambra or Kogi States.
Having operated exploration for this long time, it is time to declare Kogi State as Oil Producing State since it is no longer in doubt of the existence of crude oil in this part of Kogi State. This singular action will eventually reduce tension among the communities from both Kogi and Anambra States and enhance security of life and properties, he said.
“You can not be sitting on a goldmine and remain in poverty”. And advised the government and people of kogi state to wake up from their slumber and do the needful on Ibaji oil wells. All the right buttons and necessary goodwills have to be mobilized in Abuja and anywhere needed, Kogi state cannot remain ignorant to its economic strength and the dynamics of oil gains in the federal economy, he added.
he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the average retail price of a litre of petrol witnessed a drop from N1,184.83 in October 2024 to N1,052.31 in October 2025.
The NBS made this known in its Petrol Price Watch for October 2025 released in Abuja yesterday.
It stated that the October 2025 price of N1,052.
31 represented a 11. 18 per cent decrease over the price of N1,184. 83 recorded in October 2024.“Comparing the average price value with the previous month of September, the average retail price increased by 8.42 per cent from N970.59.”
On state profiles analysis, the report said Kogi paid the highest average retail price of N1,110.
00, followed by Sokoto and Borno at N1,105.93 and N1,101.63, respectively.“Conversely, Oyo, Nasarawa and Abia paid the lowest average retail price at N1,001.79, N1,009.38, and N1,012.50, respectively,’’ it stated.
Analysis by zones showed that the North-East recorded the highest average retail price in October 2025 at N1,072.74 while the South-West Zone recorded the lowest price at N1,032.81 per litre.
The NBS also stated in its Diesel Price Watch Report for October 2025 that the average retail price was N1,398.57 per litre.
It said that the October 2025 price of N1,398.57 per litre amounted to a 2.96 per cent decrease on a year-on-year basis over the N1,441.28 per litre paid in October 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 9.45 per cent from the N1,277.81 per litre recorded in September 2025,’’ it added.
On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average price per litre of diesel in October was recorded in Enugu at N1,468.29, followed by Niger at N1,465.69 and Jigawa at N1,437.40.
On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Katsina at N1,301.24 per litre, followed by Edo at N1,307.84 and Kebbi at N1,308.94.In addition, the analysis by zones showed that the South-East Zone had the highest price of N1,415.85 per litre, while the South-South recorded the lowest price at N1,387.18 per litre.(NAN)
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that its gantry price reduction actually prompted petrol price downward adjustments by marketers.
The management rejected what it described as series of misleading publications claiming that the recent reduction in pump prices by oil marketers is a consequence of the Federal Government’s reversal of the 15 per cent import tariff.
‘This narrative is entirely false, deliberately misleading, and inconsistent with actual market dynamics.
For the avoidance of doubt, the factor that prompted the price adjustment was our own reduction of PMS gantry and coastal prices on November 6.’ it said in a statement.According to the statement, the subsequent change in pump prices is now being wrongly attributed to a tariff decision in an attempt to distort the facts and misinform the public.
It will be recalled that Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on November 6, reduced its PMS gantry price from N877 to N828 per litre, representing a 5.6 per cent decrease, and its coastal price from N854 to N806 per litre.
These changes were publicly announced across major media platforms, including, but not limited to, The Punch, Vanguard, The Cable, Daily Trust, The Sun, The Street Journal, Petroleumprice.ng, New Telegraph, Business Hallmark, and several others, and were implemented well before marketers adjusted their pump prices.
The claim that the reduction in pump prices was driven by the suspension of the 15 per cent import tariff is therefore incorrect, it said.
‘The import tariff had received the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR as far back as October 21 for immediate implementation.
The refinery management noted that contrary to repeated claims by certain interests, imported products which are often below acceptable standards have consistently been sold at higher pump prices than the premium-grade fuel supplied by Dangote Refinery.
The continued importation of substandard fuel constitutes dumping, a harmful practice that undermines economic growth and industrial development.
Nigeria has witnessed the devastating consequences of such unchecked dumping before, including the collapse of the once-thriving textile industry, which was a major employer of labour, it noted.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery further reiterated its commitment to supplying high-quality, internationally benchmarked petroleum products at competitive prices, adding. “Our operations continue to moderate prices in the market, ensuring Nigerian consumers receive genuine value for money.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is fast-tracking its transformation through strategic investments in infrastructure, governance reforms, and operational efficiency, positioning the company for a landmark Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Under its “Fit for the Future” strategy, NNPC Ltd.
aims for global competitiveness, public listing, and a pivotal role in connecting Africa to international markets through extensive gas infrastructure development initiatives.Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, disclosed this during a dialogue at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), emphasising the company’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and investor readiness.
Ojulari said NNPC Ltd. was steadily preparing for its IPO under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) by improving governance, operational transparency, and accountability to meet international investment standards and expectations.
“Our IPO journey is mandated by law. We are publishing monthly performance reports and embedding global best practices to make NNPC a high-performing, investor-ready company with enhanced transparency.
“The ‘Fit for the Future’ project focuses on market leadership, building the necessary structures for IPO readiness, increasing investor attractiveness, and strengthening the company’s long-term competitiveness and operational capacity,” Ojulari said.
The CEO highlighted the transformation programme’s five core workstreams: production growth, gas monetisation, downstream optimisation, market leadership, and talent development, forming the backbone of NNPC’s strategy to become globally competitive.
Ojulari said the initiative was also reshaping NNPC’s workforce through innovation, digitalisation, and international exposure, enhancing staff capabilities via the “Talent Valley” programme and secondments with global partners.
He stated, “The new board and management were given a clear mission by the President: achieve two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030.”
On gas development, Ojulari noted targets of 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet by 2030, achievable through partnerships, operational efficiency, and access to broader investment capital.
He added that production recovery had been boosted by collaboration with international and indigenous operators, along with fiscal incentives under the PIA 2021, contributing to growth in oil output and investment confidence.
“Nigeria’s oil output has increased from 1.5 million to about 1.7 million barrels per day. We recently signed our first deepwater Production Sharing Contract in 15 years,” he revealed.
On gas, Ojulari said Nigeria’s reserves, exceeding 600 trillion cubic feet equivalent, positioned the country for full industrialisation and regional economic leadership, underscoring NNPC’s strategic focus on natural gas development.
He said NNPC was leading the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, connecting West African economies and Europe, allowing countries along the corridor to both consume and supply gas, boosting trade and energy integration.
“The pipeline aligns with our vision to make Africa a major global gas player while promoting economic integration, industrialisation, and sustainable development across participating nations,” Ojulari said.
He added that NNPC was finalising partnerships with global operators to upgrade refineries to international standards, seeking partners with proven expertise and shared investment responsibility to enhance operational efficiency.
Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to advancing energy access and industrial growth across Africa, emphasising that its transformation journey was simultaneously commercial and developmental, with benefits for investors, governments, and communities alike.
Street Named After Business Mogul, Sam Maduka Onyishi Unveiled in Asokoro
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja Authorities in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday honoured renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chief Dr. Sam...
Experts Task Government on Increase in Domestic Funding
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja Experts in the health sector, at the weekend agreed that even though foreign grants and aid...
BBNaija’s Queen Mercy Confirms crash of Her One-year Marriage
ShareBig Brother Naija reality show star, Queen Mercy Atang, has finally confirmed the crash of her one-year marriage. The single...
Obi, TCM Condemn Tinubu’s Distribution of Vehicles to Renewed Hope Ambassadors
ShareBy Mike Odiakose Abuja Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and a socio-political organisation, The Collective Movement (TCM),...
Bayelsa Urges NDDC to Complete Abandoned Akenfa Bridge Project
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Government has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to resume and...
Road Accident Claims Six Lives in Kogi
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Kogi State Government has expressed sadness over a tragic accident involving a bus conveying some...
Adebayo at 53 Young Enough to Lead Nigeria – Ighodalo
ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja Pastor in charge of Trinity House, a non-denominational, Christian fellowship centre and founder, African Leadership Group...
Four Dies as Bandits Launches Attack in Kogi Community
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, Lokoja Four persons were reportedly dead on Wednesday when suspected bandits launched an attack on Irunda Ile...
Musa Takes Oath, Vows United Front against Insecurity
ShareBy David Torough, Abuja President Bola Tinubu yesterday swore in former Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), as...
OPay Secures Double Honors at Tech Innovation Awards
ShareIn a major recognition of its innovation and security leadership, OPay, Nigeria’s premier financial technology company, has been named Fintech...