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Despite Buhari’s Rice Pyramid, Nigeria to Become Top Rice Importer Globally in 2024 – USDA

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… to import 2.1 million metric tons of rice in 2024 

Nigeria is projected to import 2.1 million metric tons of rice in 2024, which may make the country the top rice buyer globally. 

This is according to the latest Rice Outlook report by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The report notes that global rice trade will hit about 52.85 million tons (milled basis) by 2024, with more exports expected from Brazil and South Korea, and more imports expected from Burkina Faso, Indonesia, and Nigeria. 

It read: 

  • “Global rice trade in the calendar year 2024 is projected at 52.85 million tons (milled basis), up 345,000 tons from the previous forecast but 460,000 tons smaller than the year-earlier revised forecast of 53.3 million tons. Export forecasts for 2024 are raised for Brazil and South Korea, while import forecasts are raised for Burkina Faso, Indonesia, and Nigeria, with Indonesia’s import forecast raised 600,000 tons to 2.0 million tons.” 

Weaker Crops in Nigeria 

According to the report, weaker rice production is expected in Nigeria and seven other countries. 

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The report noted: “Rice production is projected to continue to decline in Japan and South Korea due to diet diversification and declining and aging populations. Weaker crops are also projected in 2023/24 for Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mali, Nigeria, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.” 

It added that global rice production in 2023/24 is projected at a record 517.8 million tons (milled basis), which is a decrease of 340,000 tons from last month’s forecast but 4.4 million tons larger than a year earlier. 

Out of the projected rice production figure, Nigeria is expected to produce about 5.23 million tons. 

Top rice importer 

Data from the report also showed that Nigeria will likely be the leading importer of rice in 2024. 

The country will be followed by Indonesia with an import projection of 2 million metric tons and Brazil with a projection of 900,000 metric tons. 

It noted that the import forecast for Nigeria was raised by 100,000 metric tons from the earlier projection in October. 

On the reason for the increase, the report noted: “Import forecast is raised based on stronger-than-expected demand for imported rice due to both high prices for domestic rice and quality concerns.” 

More insight 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently lifted the foreign exchange restrictions it placed on importers of rice and 42 other items eight years ago. 

This will likely encourage the importation of more rice, among other items, into the country. 

There have been mixed reactions following the removal of the restrictions, with some farmers recently showing support for the lifting of the foreign exchange ban on rice importation. 

According to this group of farmers, the lifting of the forex ban breaks the monopoly of the processing and marketing of grain by local millers. 

Prior to the bank, there appeared to be a decrease in rice import, with data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA), showing a decrease of 98.4% between the first seven months of 2022, and that of 2021. 

However, there is also a likelihood that foreign rice is likely smuggled more than it is officially imported into the country. 

About a week ago, the Nigeria Customs Service said it seized 13 trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, among other items. 

Recall that in January 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a rice pyramid in Abuja, saying that the price of rice will fall drastically after the commissioning.

The price of rice has however, continued to hit the roof top ever since, going beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.

Source: Nairametrics

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Italian Oil Giant Eni Gets FG’s Approval to Sell Agip Oil to Oando

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Italian oil and gas giant, Eni, on Wednesday announced that it had received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for the sale of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited (NAOC) to Oando Plc.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Eni said it had received formal consent to finalise the deal. It will be the first deal to be approved under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and under the new upstream regulatory body, the NUPRC.

Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe had announced during an industry conference on July 3 in Abuja, that Oando had completed the acquisition of 100 per cent shares of Eni in its subsidiary, NAOC, adding that an announcement was imminent.

Confirming this in the statement, the Italian oil company said it had obtained all other relevant local and regulatory authorities’ authorisations.

“Having already obtained all other relevant local and regulatory authorities’ authorisations, this achievement will allow Eni to proceed to the completion of the transaction for the sale of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd (NAOC), Eni’s wholly owned subsidiary focusing on onshore oil & gas exploration and production as well as power generation in Nigeria, to Oando PLC, Nigeria’s leading national energy solutions provider, listed on both the Nigerian and Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

“NAOC Ltd participating interest in SPDC JV (Shell Production Development Company Joint Venture – operator Shell 30 per cent, TotalEnergies 10 per cent, NAOC 5 per cent, NNPC 55 per cent) is not included in the perimeter of the transaction and will be retained in Eni’s portfolio.

“Eni remains committed to the country through investments in deepwater projects and Nigeria LNG,” the company stated in a statement.

 

 

The company also said it was developing plans for economic diversification in the country.

Eni said this includes assessing the potential production of agri-feedstock for Enilive bio-refineries and various nature- and technology-based projects, such as clean cooking initiatives to offset emissions.

Eni has been operating in Nigeria since 1962, actively engaging in hydrocarbon exploration and production, as well as power generation.

Currently, Eni has a substantial portfolio of assets in exploration and production, with an equity production of approximately 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day net of NAOC contribution. Eni also holds a 10.4 per cent interest in Nigeria LNG.

 

 

NAOC focuses on onshore oil & gas exploration and production as well as power generation, Eni said in the statement.

Aside from Eni, other companies in the process of getting approval are Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which is selling to Renaissance Consortium as well as ExxonMobil which is selling some of its oil assets to Seplat Energies.

Others are Chappal , which is buying from Total Energies as well Equinor which recently entered into a preliminary deal with the same Chappal Energies to sell some of its assets.

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NNPCL Invested Only 7.2% in Our Refinery, Not 20%, Dangote Confirms

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By Eric Elezuo

President, Dangote Industries Limited and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said that contrary to popularly held view that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) invested 20 percent stake in Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, the company has only 7.2 per cent share holding.

Dangote made the revelation while addressing a full house of top media executives during a press parley and tour of the facilities at the Ibeju-Lekki site of the refinery and fertilizer plant.

Speaking matter of factly, Dangote, who said that the success of the refinery will depend majorly on the line of the policies the government of the day take, noted that while NNPC was originally billed to acquire 20 per cent share holding, it could only afford to pay 7.2 percent, which it now owns, having failed to remit the balance, which was due in June. 

“NNPC do not own 20 percent stake in the Dangote refinery. They were meant to pay their balance in June, but have yet to fulfil the obligations. Now, they only own a 7.2% stake in the refinery,” Dangote confirmed.

 

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CIBN Appoints UBA CEO, Oliver Alawuba As Chairman

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The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa, (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as the Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Body of Banks’ CEOs.

The CIBN announced this appointment on its website on Monday, July 8, 2024.

This prestigious appointment underscores Alawuba’s extensive experience and visionary leadership in the banking sector, as well as his unwavering commitment towards advancing the financial industry in Nigeria and across Africa.

In his role as Chairman, Alawuba will be at the forefront of fostering collaboration and driving strategic initiatives among the top executives of banks in Nigeria.

Like he has achieved as the GMD of Africa’s Global Bank, UBA, his leadership is expected to bring innovative solutions and strengthen the collective efforts of the banking community while addressing the dynamic challenges and opportunities within the financial sector.

The CIBN also announced the appointment of Mrs. Miriam Olusanya, the CEO of GTBank, as the Vice Chairman of the Body of Banks’ CEOs. Her appointment, alongside Alawuba’s, signifies a strong and unified leadership team poised to enhance the banking landscape in Nigeria.

UBA extends its heartfelt congratulations to Alawuba and Olusanya on their appointment and the Bank is confident that their combined expertise and visionary leadership will usher in a new era of progress and innovation for the banking industry in Nigeria, and that under their guidance, the Body of Banks’ CEOs will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and strategies that will drive sustainable economic growth and enhance the overall stability of the financial system in Nigeria.

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