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Joe-Ezigbo pushes for more women CEOs in energy sector at IWD 2026

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By Ambrose Nnaji

The Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Corporation Limited, Audrey Joe‑Ezigbo, has called on Nigeria’s energy industry to sustain the momentum in appointing women to top leadership positions, especially across the gas value chain, as the sector commemorates International Women’s Day 2026.

Joe-Ezigbo made the call while reflecting on the growing number of women occupying executive positions in Nigeria’s oil, gas, and power industries, describing the trend as a significant shift in a sector historically dominated by men.

Founded in 1994, Falcon Corporation is a wholly indigenous energy firm with operations spanning the midstream and downstream segments. The company serves as the licensed Local Distribution Company responsible for developing and operating gas infrastructure supplying natural gas to industrial and commercial customers in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Falcon has also expanded into the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market through trading, distribution, and infrastructure investments, including an LPG tank farm and jetty facility.

The company is part of Optimera Energy, a consortium implementing a long-term gas infrastructure development project in partnership with the Lagos Free Zone Company to build and operate a gas distribution network serving businesses within the zone.

With strong corporate governance and operational discipline, Falcon continues to strengthen its position in the market, supported by its ‘A’ long-term and ‘A1’ short-term credit ratings from Agusto & Co., reflecting financial stability and sound management.

Joe-Ezigbo noted that the current decade has witnessed a remarkable rise in female leadership across Nigeria’s energy sector, citing key appointments that signal a gradual but meaningful transformation in industry governance.

She highlighted notable leaders including Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy; Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission; Folake Soetan; Jennifer Adighije; Wola Joseph‑Condotti; Elozino Olaniyan; Catherine Uju Ifejika; and Seinye Lulu‑Briggs, as examples of women shaping the future of the industry.

According to her, the increasing willingness of boards, regulators, and investors to entrust women with complex and capital-intensive responsibilities reflects growing maturity within the sector and recognition that leadership competence is not defined by gender.

She stressed that the gas sector remains central to Nigeria’s industrialisation and energy security agenda, adding that diversity in leadership must accompany ongoing investments in pipelines, distribution networks, and domestic gas utilisation.

Joe-Ezigbo said inclusive succession planning should become institutional practice rather than isolated milestones, noting that sustained progress will ensure the next generation of female engineers, economists, and executives inherit a sector defined by merit, opportunity, and equal access to leadership.

She added that International Women’s Day 2026 provides an opportunity for the industry not only to celebrate achievements but also to consolidate the gains already made in building a more inclusive and resilient energy sector.

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Investor confidence lifts Guinness Nigeria above ₦1trn market cap

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By Ambrose Nnaji

Guinness Nigeria PLC has crossed the ₦1 trillion market capitalisation threshold on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), marking a significant milestone that underscores renewed investor confidence and the company’s sustained value creation drive.

As of April 10, 2026, the brewer’s market capitalisation stood at approximately ₦1.01 trillion, with an enterprise value of about ₦1.05 trillion. The milestone reflects a notable market re-rating, underpinned by stronger fundamentals and a clearer growth trajectory.

The development caps an impressive 18-month run in which Guinness Nigeria has delivered robust gains in shareholder value. By April 12, the company’s share price closed at ₦462.90, highlighting continued upward momentum and positive sentiment around its strategic direction.

Its latest audited results for the 18-month period ended December 31, 2025, reinforce the turnaround narrative. Revenue rose to ₦730.80 billion, while gross profit surged 152 per cent to ₦230.48 billion, driven by improved margins and operational efficiency.

In a decisive shift, the company posted a net profit after tax of ₦41.16 billion, reversing losses recorded in the prior period. The return to profitability signals the effectiveness of its transformation strategy and strengthens its long-term value proposition to investors.

The reporting period also represents a transitional phase for the company, including the adoption of a new December year-end and its first full audited cycle under the current ownership structure—steps that are expected to support stronger governance and performance consistency.

Commenting on the milestone, Board Chairman Fabian Ajogwu described it as a validation of the company’s strategy. He noted that crossing the ₦1 trillion mark reflects business resilience, brand strength, and renewed investor confidence in its long-term outlook.

Operationally, Guinness Nigeria has driven performance through revenue growth, portfolio optimisation, cost discipline, and enhanced route-to-market capabilities. These efforts have been complemented by a sharper focus on innovation, premiumisation, and consumer-centric offerings.

The company has also strengthened its balance sheet, embedded sustainability practices, and maintained strong corporate governance, while continuing to promote responsible consumption and community impact.

Looking ahead, Guinness Nigeria says it will sustain growth momentum through innovation, portfolio expansion, and disciplined capital allocation, with a continued focus on delivering superior shareholder returns.

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UN backs Dangote model as Africa confronts deepening food security crisis

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By Ambrose Nnaji

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has underscored the strategic importance of Dangote Industries Limited—particularly its fertiliser arm—in tackling Africa’s mounting food security challenges, while calling for stronger global partnerships to scale its impact.

Speaking during a visit to the company’s industrial complex, in Lagos, Mohammed said the United Nations would prioritise amplifying scalable, private-sector-led solutions capable of mitigating the continent’s food crisis, describing Dangote’s integrated industrial model as a critical pathway.

“I think the UN’s job here is to amplify and to put visibility on the possibilities of mitigating a food security crisis, and this is one of them. I hope that when we go back, we can continue to engage partners and countries that should collaborate with Dangote Industries,” she said.

Her remarks come amid heightened concern over food shortages and supply chain disruptions across Africa, driven by global economic pressures, climate-related shocks and geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said the group has ramped up exports of urea and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to African markets affected by supply disruptions.

 

 

 

He noted that the company has intensified fertiliser shipments to support agricultural productivity and ease supply constraints across the continent.

“The challenges are many. One is urea, which is fertiliser that we have. In the last couple of days, we’ve been loading to mostly African countries, which we were not doing before. And

Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Sunil-Kumar Chauhan; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed; Vice President Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, during the visit to Dangote Fertiliser Limited, in Lagos.

now it’s petroleum products, which we are sending mainly to African countries”, he said.

Dangote added that the refinery has shipped about 17 cargoes of petrol to countries across Africa, leveraging its 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity to stabilise supply in multiple regions.

“What I can do is assure Nigerians and most of West Africa, Central Africa, and East Africa—we have the capacity to supply them,” he said.

On feedstock supply, Dangote commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for increasing crude deliveries to the refinery in March, with volumes rising to 10 cargoes—six supplied in naira and four in dollars—to support domestic fuel availability.

Despite the improvement, supply remains below the 19 cargoes required for optimal operations, forcing the refinery to bridge the gap through imports from the United States and other African producers.

Dangote also raised concerns over the reluctance of international oil companies operating in Nigeria to sell crude directly to the refinery, noting that their preference for trading intermediaries increases costs and has broader implications for the economy.

He added that the refinery is seeking expanded access to domestically priced crude under local currency arrangements as part of efforts to moderate fuel costs and strengthen long-term energy and food security across the continent.

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Unlocking digital potential: NLNG hosts second ‘Change Your Story’ workshop for journalists

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By Ambrose Nnaji

NLNG has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing media development in Nigeria with the successful completion of the second edition of the #NLNGChangeYourStory workshop for 2026, held in Lagos.

The workshop brought together 40 media professionals from various outlets to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence and digital communication in journalism. Focused discussions emphasised the potential of emerging media technologies to enhance real-time reporting, expand global audience reach, and deepen digital engagement.

Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, described the event as part of the company’s wider mission to strengthen media partnerships and foster professional excellence in journalism. She highlighted the importance of informed reporting in shaping public perception, particularly within critical sectors like energy and sustainability.

“We provide the energy that powers nations; you provide the information that powers minds,” Horsfall noted, urging participants to incorporate the knowledge gained into their work to elevate journalistic standards.

The workshop featured expert-led sessions, including digital communication specialist Dan Mason on digital storytelling, and veteran journalist Taiwo Obe’s hands-on Journalism Clinic. The participants honed skills in data visualization, audience engagement, and online verification—tools that will aid their digital transition.

With over 400 journalists trained in digital communication, NLNG continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to supporting the media industry’s digital evolution.

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