Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Energy

  • NNPCL Says Escravos–Lagos Gas Line Restored After December Explosion

    NNPCL Says Escravos–Lagos Gas Line Restored After December Explosion

    2025-12-30 11:00:00

    In an update published by Punch, NNPCL announced the restoration of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) after the December 10 explosion that disrupted a major gas corridor feeding Lagos and parts of the South-West.

    The company said repairs included containment, pressure testing and safe recommissioning of the affected section, with operations returned to service.

    ELPS is crucial for power generation and industrial gas supply, and downtime often amplifies electricity instability when the grid is already fragile.

    Vanguard quoted NNPCL saying, “Today, the pipeline is fully operational, reaffirming our resilience and commitment to energy security.” Punch also quoted NNPCL stating, “Today, the pipeline is fully operational,” in its confirmation of ELPS restoration.

    Echotitbits take: The headline is restoration; the real test is sustained reliability. Watch for follow-on reporting on pipeline security, surveillance and whether gas delivery volumes normalise for power plants and big industrial users.

    Source: The Punch — December 30, 2025 (https://punchng.com/nnpc-restores-escravos-lagos-gas-pipeline-after-explosion/)

    The Punch 2025-12-30

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Geregu Power Control Shifts as MA’AM Energy Takes Majority Stake

    Geregu Power Control Shifts as MA’AM Energy Takes Majority Stake

    2025-12-30 14:30:00

    According to Punch, MA’AM Energy has taken control of 77% of Geregu Power Plc following a restructuring that ends billionaire Femi Otedola’s indirect controlling interest.

    The report said the shift followed changes around the majority shareholder structure and noted the transaction was not presented as a direct share sale on the NGX.

    Geregu’s update cited in Punch said the transfer changes the controlling interest and sets up a new governance posture for one of Nigeria’s key listed generation assets.

    Premium Times reported the ownership shift and cited a source saying the deal “was valued at $750 million.” In the corporate update referenced by Punch, Geregu Power stated: “As a result of this transaction, the indirect controlling interest… has been transferred to MA’AM Energy Limited.”

    Echotitbits take: This is a strong signal that investors see real value in listed power assets. Watch for (1) capex commitments by the new controller, (2) governance changes, and (3) whether the move reshapes market expectations for other energy listings.

    Source: The Punch — December 30, 2025 (https://punchng.com/otedola-cedes-geregu-power-control-to-maam-energy/)

    The Punch 2025-12-30

    Photo Credit: The punch

  • Another Grid Crash Renews Worries Over Nigeria’s Power Reliability

    Another Grid Crash Renews Worries Over Nigeria’s Power Reliability

    2025-12-30 08:30:00

    Reporting by Vanguard indicates that Nigeria recorded yet another national grid collapse, plunging many customers into blackout and renewing concerns about system reliability.

    The update noted that restoration efforts were underway as operators moved to stabilise supply after the latest failure. The incident adds to a string of recent collapses that have repeatedly disrupted households and businesses.

    Market watchers say the frequency of failures reflects deeper fragility—tight gas supply, transmission constraints, and limited redundancy—making the system prone to cascading trips.

    Premium Times reported customer advisories issued during the outage, including assurances that stakeholders were working to restore power “fully as soon as the grid is stabilised.” AllAfrica also carried an operator‑attributed account describing a “system disturbance… that led to a partial collapse,” underscoring ongoing grid fragility.

    Echotitbits take: The pattern is shifting from “rare emergency” to “routine disruption.” Watch whether recovery time shortens, and whether 2026 reforms prioritise transmission resilience and gas‑supply security alongside tariff and metering debates.

    Source: Vanguard — December 30, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/nigerians-in-darkness-as-national-grid-collapses-again/)

    Vanguard 2025-12-30

    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • Grid Restored After Fresh System Disturbance, Operator Says

    Grid Restored After Fresh System Disturbance, Operator Says

    2025-12-29 18:00:00

    According to Punch, Nigeria’s electricity system recovered after a partial national grid collapse triggered by a mid‑afternoon system disturbance that disrupted supply across multiple areas.

    The report said the disturbance occurred around 2:01pm on Monday, December 29, with generation slipping after earlier peaking near the day’s highs. NISO attributed the disruption to tripping events affecting multiple generating units and key 330kV transmission lines.

    Punch added that gas constraints—linked to the earlier Escravos–Lagos gas pipeline vandalism—left the grid more fragile, worsening the impact once the disturbance hit. NISO also pointed to “island mode” interventions that helped keep supply flowing to some substations during the incident.

    Premium Times separately reported that distribution companies issued customer updates during the outage and said restoration would follow once the grid was stabilised, noting work to bring supply back “as soon as the grid is stabilised.” TVC News also reported that the national grid was back online, citing NISO’s account that the disturbance had been addressed.

    Echotitbits take: Nigeria’s grid is behaving like a stressed network—any gas disruption or transmission trip can cascade into wide outages. Watch for (1) clearer post‑incident diagnostics from the system operator, and (2) stronger pipeline security and gas supply stability going into 2026.

    Source: The Punch — December 29, 2025 (https://punchng.com/power-supply-restored-after-national-grid-collapse-niso/)

    The Punch 2025-12-29

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Port Harcourt refinery stays offline, but diesel evacuation continues — regulator

    Port Harcourt refinery stays offline, but diesel evacuation continues — regulator

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-28 09:00:00

    In an update published by Punch, Nigeria’s downstream regulator said the Port Harcourt refinery remains shut but diesel (automotive gas oil) has continued entering the market via evacuations.

    The report attributes the ongoing diesel movement to regulator data, even as the facility remains under maintenance following a shutdown announced earlier in 2025.

    A DailyReport.ng write‑up stated “NMDPRA confirms 349,000 litres of AGO supplied daily,” while TheCable previously reported NNPC would shut the Port Harcourt Refining Company “for maintenance,” underscoring the continued stop‑start nature of domestic refining.

    Echotitbits take: This is a trust and transparency problem. If product evacuation is from existing stock, the public needs clear reporting on inventory, throughput, and maintenance milestones. Watch for NMDPRA’s daily/weekly supply dashboards and NNPC’s turnaround timelines.

    Source: The Punch — December 28, 2025 (https://punchng.com/port-harcourt-refinery-supplies-diesel-while-shut-nmdpra/)

    The Punch 2025-12-28

  • Regulators Exit as Dangote–NMDPRA Dispute Rattles Nigeria’s Fuel Market

    Regulators Exit as Dangote–NMDPRA Dispute Rattles Nigeria’s Fuel Market

    2025-12-18 00:00:00

    According to Punch, Nigeria’s petroleum sector was jolted by the resignation of the heads of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), amid an escalating dispute tied to Dangote Refinery’s allegations and petition.

    The report says the resignations followed weeks of public tension over fuel import licensing, pricing dynamics, and regulatory oversight, with marketers warning that uncertainty could deepen the squeeze on downstream operators.

    Punch notes that Dangote’s petition to the ICPC alleging questionable wealth and conduct by the NMDPRA chief added pressure to an already heated standoff, even as government moved to nominate replacements for both agencies.

    ICPC, in a public notice, confirmed it had received “a formal petition” against the NMDPRA CEO and said “the petition will be duly investigated.” (ICPC)

    Reuters also reported the shake-up as a major signal to investors watching the refining and downstream market, quoting an energy lawyer who said the developments were not expected to “adversely affect investor confidence.” (Reuters)

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: A regulator shake-up in the middle of a pricing war raises fresh questions about policy consistency under the Petroleum Industry Act. Watch for what the Senate confirmation hearings reveal—especially on import licensing, market competition rules, and how government balances energy security with private refining ambitions.

    Source: Punch — December 18, 2025 (https://punchng.com/petrol-war-fallout-nmdpra-nuprc-bosses-resign-as-dangotes-petition-rocks-sector/)

    Photo credit: Punch

  • Petrol pricing dispute deepens as Dangote pushes for probe of NMDPRA chief

    Petrol pricing dispute deepens as Dangote pushes for probe of NMDPRA chief

    2025-12-15 01:06:00

    According to The Punch, the petrol market dispute between Dangote and the downstream regulator escalated as Dangote called for a probe of the NMDPRA boss, alleging sabotage and impropriety in the ongoing pricing and supply tensions.

    The story outlines claims and counter-claims around access, pricing, and oversight in Nigeria’s post-subsidy downstream landscape, with stakeholders watching for regulatory response.

    The development comes as consumers and marketers track pump prices amid volatility, while policymakers weigh competition and transparency in the sector.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is a credibility test for downstream regulation. The next signals to watch are any official inquiry, clarifications from NMDPRA, and whether the dispute affects depot-to-retail supply or triggers fresh price adjustments.

    Source: THISDAYLIVE — December 15, 2025 — https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/15/dangote-nmdpra-ceo-must-be-probed-prosecuted-for-graft-economic-sabotage/

    Photo credit: THISDAYLIVE

    THISDAYLIVE https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/15/dangote-nmdpra-ceo-must-be-probed-prosecuted-for-graft-economic-sabotage/ December 15, 2025