By David Torough, Abuja

Nigeria’s long-delayed Ima Gas Field is set for development after AMNI International Petroleum Development Company Ltd. and TotalEnergies EP Nigeria took the Final Investment Decision (FID) on a project expected to attract more than $600 million in development investment and generate up to $800 million in value.

The shallow-water field, located about eight kilometres offshore in OMLs 112 and 117, was discovered in 1973 but remained undeveloped for more than five decades.

President Bola Tinubu, who welcomed the FID on Wednesday, said the project demonstrated the impact of reforms aimed at making Nigeria’s oil and gas sector more competitive and unlocking previously stranded resources.

According to the President, the development will create opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors and businesses, while stimulating economic activity in host communities and increasing gas supplies and export earnings.

The project is expected to supply about one-third of the gas required for the expansion of Nigeria LNG’s Train Seven, supporting the planned increase in the company’s liquefaction capacity from 22 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes per annum.

The development is being led by TotalEnergies as operator with a 40 per cent interest, while Nigerian-owned AMNI holds a 60 per cent interest. Nigerian financial institutions are providing more than 75 per cent of the project financing, highlighting the growing role of domestic capital in major energy developments.

About 60 per cent of the development workforce is expected to come from host communities, including Bonny, Finima and Andoni in Rivers State. The project also targets extensive Nigerian participation, with key contractors expected to be local companies.

TotalEnergies Managing Director, Matthieu Bouyer, described the FID as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, saying the project would combine international technical expertise with Nigerian financing, contractors and workforce.

The company said Ima had been designed as a low-cost, low-emissions development, with electricity supplied from shore, no routine flaring and permanent methane detection and monitoring systems.

President Tinubu said the Ima FID was the fourth major gas project to reach investment decision under his administration, following the Iseni, Ubeta and HI projects.

He attributed the renewed momentum to reforms introduced to improve fiscal competitiveness, shorten contracting timelines, reduce project costs and provide greater certainty for investors, particularly in onshore and shallow-water gas developments.

Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said the Ima development illustrated the transition from gas resources remaining underground to their conversion into jobs, business opportunities, government revenues and industrial growth.

AMNI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunde Afolabi, said the FID demonstrated that Nigeria could still attract long-term investment when indigenous and international companies combine technical expertise, financial discipline and local knowledge.

He stressed that the FID marked the beginning of the project’s execution phase, with attention now turning to safe delivery, technical integrity, environmental responsibility and meaningful engagement with host communities.

The Ima project is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s broader gas strategy by providing feedstock for LNG exports and industry, while supporting potential growth in fertiliser, petrochemicals and power generation.

The development comes as Nigeria seeks to convert its large gas reserves into productive assets and increase the contribution of the sector to domestic economic activity and foreign exchange earnings.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Ministry of Regional Development has celebrated 24 retirees, recognising their years of dedication to public service and urging them to remain active by sharing their knowledge and experience even after retirement.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, made the call on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during a retirement celebration organised for the retirees.

Ogbe commended the retirees for their contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly their dedication, commitment and achievements throughout their years in service.

She assured them of the government’s welfare packages and severance benefits, which she said were designed to provide financial support before the commencement of their pension payments.

“We are celebrating 24 retirees this morning. We celebrate you, and we are grateful for your commitment, dedication, and service to the nation,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary encouraged the retirees to continue contributing to the development of the country by sharing their experience, knowledge and perspectives in whatever capacity possible.

She also expressed appreciation to staff members who had worked directly with her, thanking them for their patience, understanding and support.

In her welcome address, the Director of Human Resources Management, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, described the retirees as the reason for the gathering and praised their loyalty, integrity and commitment to national development.

She noted that some of the retirees had served for more than three decades, contributing to policy implementation, mentoring younger officers and sustaining the operations of the Ministry during challenging periods.

Dagyol said the retirees had served across different grade levels and cadres, including the Directorate, Administrative, Technical and Support cadres. She added that between May 2025 and September 2026, the Ministry had bid farewell to several officers as they reached retirement.

According to her, the retirees had contributed to the evolution of the institution from its formative stage as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to its present expanded mandate as the Ministry of Regional Development.

She described retirement as a transition into a new chapter that could provide opportunities for rest, family life, community service and personal pursuits.

Dagyol also urged serving workers to draw lessons from the retirees’ careers by remaining punctual, diligent and committed to leaving the Ministry stronger than they found it.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, former Director of Finance and Accounts, Akpan Etop Andy, thanked the Ministry’s management for organising the celebration.

Andy encouraged serving staff to show kindness and support to their colleagues, saying such conduct would help ensure that their contributions were remembered positively when they eventually retire.

By David Torough, Abuja

Nigeria’s scheduled airline capacity rose to 1.19 million seats in September 2026, representing a 37.4 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The Managing Director of FAAN and Vice President of Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the ACI Africa Conference and Exhibition 2026.

Kuku said Nigeria’s aviation market is now the fourth-largest in Africa, recording more than 18.

She said data from aviation intelligence provider OAG showed that Nigeria recorded the fastest growth in scheduled airline capacity among Africa’s top 10 aviation markets in September 2026.

According to her, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos also recorded the fastest growth in scheduled seat capacity among Africa’s 10 largest airports, with a 24.1 per cent increase during the month.

Kuku attributed the growth in Nigeria’s aviation capacity to currency reforms, new aircraft leasing arrangements and increased confidence among international airlines seeking to expand operations to the country.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” Kuku described it as a strategic mandate for Africa’s aviation industry and a call for coordinated action to strengthen the continent’s airports and airlines.

She cited International Air Transport Association (IATA) data showing that African airlines recorded a 6.4 per cent year-on-year increase in international passenger demand in July 2026.

Kuku noted that Africa’s growth contrasted with a 0.1 per cent decline in global international passenger demand during the same period. She added that the continent’s overall passenger demand increased by 5.2 per cent, placing it second only to Latin America and the Caribbean and above the global average of 0.2 per cent.

According to her, the figures reflect increased movement of people for business, healthcare, family connections and other economic activities across the continent.

However, Kuku cautioned that passenger and capacity growth alone would not resolve the structural challenges confronting Africa’s aviation sector.

She noted that Africa accounts for only about 1 per cent of global air traffic despite being home to approximately 18 per cent of the world’s population. She also highlighted below-average load factors and the fragile financial position of many African airlines.

“In Nigeria alone, with a population exceeding 220 million, we record approximately 19.5 million passengers annually across 28 airports,” she said, adding that the figures demonstrate both the scale of the market and the significant room for further growth.

Kuku identified funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, high operating costs, fragmented connectivity and the need to balance affordable charges with the provision of world-class airport facilities as some of the key challenges facing the sector.

She said the issues were central to the discussions at the ACI Africa conference, which brought together aviation stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.