How NNPCL, Shell, others nail Deepwater Bonga Deal, Project to attract $15-21bn Investment

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the OML 118 Contractor Parties have executed the Addendum to the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract (PSC) and the Addendum to the Dispute Settlement Agreement (DSA).

The agreement which was signed at the NNPC Towers in Abuja marked a major milestone in advancing the deepwater Bonga Southwest/Aparo (BSWAp) project toward Final Investment Decision (FID).

The parties included Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE).

Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulari, said the execution gave effect to fiscal and commercial terms approved by the Federal Government to support the development of BSWAp.

Ojulari, in a statement expressed Nigeria’s commitment to a competitive, stable and attractive environment for large scale deepwater investment.

“The milestone follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, a key component of government reforms aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Nigeria’s deepwater sector and unlocking new investment.

“The PSC and DSA Addenda show the practical impact of these reforms in translating policy into project development.

“SWAp is projected to be one of Nigeria’s largest deepwater developments, with the potential to attract between 15 billion dollars and 21 billion dollars in investment over its lifespan and reach peak production of 175,000bpd and 14mscf of gas daily.

“The project is expected to boost government revenues, foreign exchange earnings, local content development, employment and business opportunities for Nigerians,” he said.

Ojulari said NNPC Limited would continue to work closely with the Federal Government, its partners and other stakeholders to ensure that the project delivered maximum value for the Federation and the Nigerian people.

The Contractor Parties also announced the successful completion of the project’s Pre Front End Engineering Design (Pre FEED) phase.

This is an important step in maturing the technical and commercial scope of the development and positioning it to progress into the FEED phase, subject to applicable partner, assurance and governance requirements.

Following a competitive selection process, a bidder has been identified as the preferred Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) contractor for the project, subject to completion of applicable partner, regulatory, assurance and governance processes.

Officials said any eventual award of the FPSO Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) contract remained contingent on the completion of all required approvals.

Once operational, BSWAp is expected to become one of Nigeria’s most significant new deepwater production hubs, contributing materially to national oil output and supporting the country’s ambition to sustainably grow oil and gas production.

It is also expected to strengthen Nigerian content through increased contracting opportunities for indigenous companies, enhanced local fabrication, marine and engineering capabilities, technology transfer and skills development.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline

Nigerian Editors, others set to address critical National, Global Issues at NGE Conference in Enugu

No fewer than 500 editors from across Nigeria and other distinguished guests are expected at the 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

The annual conference is scheduled for September 24 and September 25 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

The conference comes ahead of the 2027 general elections and will focus on strengthening democracy through responsible journalism.

NGE President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, signed the statement announcing the conference and its planned activities.

Anaba said participants would deliberate on critical national and global issues with far-reaching social, economic and political implications.

According to him, the gathering will enable editors and stakeholders to examine pathways for advancing democratic governance and national development.

He said the conference would also promote nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism across the country.

Anaba said media leaders would interrogate challenges confronting democracy and the media’s responsibility for safeguarding credible elections.

He added that discussions would address public trust, democratic values and the media’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

The theme is, ‘The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive’.

Its sub-theme is, ‘When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.’

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, will chair the conference, while former Abuja Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address.

On September 24, Professor Auwal Yadudu of Bayero University’s Faculty of Law will speak on public trust and electoral justice.

His presentation is titled, ‘Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability’, while Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, will also address participants.

ThisDay Ombudsman and Public Protector, Kayode Komolafe, and veteran journalist, Owei Lakemfa, will jointly examine reporting terrorism responsibly.

Their presentation is titled, ‘Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists’.

Anaba said the second day’s programme would feature discussions on electoral litigation and journalism’s professional responsibilities.

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association President, Mazi Osigwe, will speak on election petitions in the digital age.

His presentation will examine independence, evidence, BVAS and the courts in resolving electoral disputes.

Prof. Chinyere Okunna, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, will discuss neutrality, professionalism and election security.

Her presentation will focus on the media’s responsibilities in democratic governance and maintaining professional standards during elections.

Dr Richard Okoye, founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, will address journalists’ wellbeing.

He will speak on, ‘The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing’.

Professor Farooq Kperogi of Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA, will examine the conference’s sub-theme on artificial intelligence disinformation.

His presentation will focus on detecting and debunking deceptive information before, during and after elections.

Anaba said the second day would also feature an executive session involving editors, governors and political party leaders.

Heads of government parastatals would equally participate in discussions on issues considered important to national development.

The NGE president said the conference would provide an important platform for media leaders to exchange ideas and strengthen democratic institutions.

He stressed the need for journalism to remain responsible, responsive and capable of protecting public trust during Nigeria’s electoral process.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline