Business
Nigeria: oil firms export 80% of crude output despite local refining demand

By Obas Esiedesa
Oil companies in Nigeria exported about 80 percent of the country’s crude oil production in the first quarter of 2026 despite rising demand from domestic refineries.
Latest data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission showed that out of the 139.93 million barrels of crude oil produced in the first three months of the year, only 28.5 million barrels, representing 20.1 percent, were supplied to local refineries, including the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery.
This means that 111.43 million barrels of crude oil, representing nearly 80 percent of total production, was exported despite the country’s expanding domestic refining capacity.
The development occurred despite the Commission allocating 61.9 million barrels for local refining under the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) framework, while producers collectively offered to supply 68.7 million barrels during the quarter.
According to the NUPRC, oil companies produced 50.45 million barrels in January, but only 9.2 million barrels, or 18.2 percent, was supplied to local refineries.
In February, total crude oil production stood at 41.93 million barrels, while domestic refiners received 9.1 million barrels, representing about 22 percent of total output.
Similarly, in March, crude oil production rose to 47.93 million barrels, but only 10.1 million barrels, or 21 percent, was delivered to local refineries, leaving 37.83 million barrels for export.
A breakdown of the DCSO performance showed that in January, the Commission allocated 22.6 million barrels to domestic refiners following consultations with stakeholders, including crude oil producers. Producers exceeded the target by offering 25.3 million barrels, 11.9 percent above the allocation, but actual supply to local refineries stood at only 9.2 million barrels.
In February, the Commission allocated 20.5 million barrels for domestic refining, while producers offered 19.8 million barrels, falling short of the target by 700,000 barrels. Actual deliveries remained low at 9.1 million barrels.
In March, DCSO allocations stood at 18.8 million barrels, while producers offered 23.6 million barrels, exceeding the target by 4.8 million barrels or 25.5 percent. However, actual supply improved only marginally to 10.1 million barrels.
The Commission attributed the persistent gap between crude volumes offered and actual deliveries mainly to pricing disagreements between producers and domestic refiners.
According to the NUPRC, the current supply arrangement operates on a “willing buyer, willing seller” basis, which continues to influence transaction outcomes and supply performance.
“However, actual supply to local refineries was 28.5 million barrels, translating to a supply conversion rate of 36-46 per cent as of the end of the first quarter (Q1) 2026,” the Commission stated.
Industry data showed that the Dangote Refinery increasingly relied on imported crude oil in 2025 due to inadequate domestic supply, importing millions of barrels from the United States, Brazil, Angola and other countries to sustain operations. The refinery was estimated to have imported over 200 million barrels of crude during the year amid challenges in securing sufficient local feedstock despite the DCSO framework.
Despite the shortfalls, the regulator reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the Federal Government’s energy sufficiency objectives through the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act.
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Business
Mutual Benefits delivers strong 2025 financial performance

By Rosemary Nwunze
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting a strong performance marked by significant growth in profitability, improved insurance revenue and continued expansion of its balance sheet. The results underscore the company’s resilience, disciplined execution and strategic positioning within Nigeria’s insurance industry.
The audited results, drawn from Mutual Benefits’ consolidated and separate financial statements, reflect sustained momentum across underwriting, investment income and operational efficiency.
Highlights include a rise in insurance revenue to ₦80.05 billion, up from ₦66.92 billion in 2024, driven by growth across key business segments. Profit for the year increased to ₦16.42 billion, compared to ₦11.32 billion in 2024, reflecting strong bottom-line expansion, while profit before tax stood at ₦17.41 billion, up from ₦11.80 billion in the prior year.
Furthermore, total assets expanded to ₦176.25 billion, compared to ₦147.13 billion in 2024, reinforcing balance sheet strength. In addition, total equity grew to ₦69.73 billion, from ₦54.79 billion in 2024, supported by retained earnings and improved profitability, while earnings per share rose to 81 kobo, compared to 54 kobo in the previous year. The leading insurer also recorded improved net investment income of ₦19.87 billion, supported by higher interest income, fair value gains, and disciplined portfolio management.
Equally important, Mutual Benefits reported strong operational performance, with its insurance service result improving significantly to ₦8.77 billion, compared to 1.07 billion in 2024. The result reflected stronger underwriting discipline, improved claims management and enhanced reinsurance structuring.
Growth in net insurance and investment performance was supported by diversified income streams, including ₦10.88 billion in interest income and improved returns from financial assets measured at amortised cost and fair value.
Meanwhile, the company’s total assets growth to ₦176.25 billion was driven by expansion in financial assets at amortised cost, which rose to ₦86.99 billion, alongside broader investment portfolio diversification. Shareholders’ funds attributable to owners of the parent company strengthened to ₦65.00 billion, reflecting continued value creation and prudent capital management.
Speaking on the results, the Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Olufemi Asenuga, said the performance reflects the success of the company’s long-term strategic priorities.
“The 2025 results demonstrate the strength of our underwriting discipline, the resilience of our investment strategy and the effectiveness of our ongoing transformation agenda. We remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our policyholders, shareholders and all stakeholders while strengthening our leadership position in Nigeria’s insurance industry,” he stated.
Asenuga further reaffirmed the company’s focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience as key enablers of future growth.
Looking ahead, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc remains committed to expanding its market presence, deepening digital distribution channels and strengthening claims efficiency. The company will also continue to pursue growth opportunities across retail and corporate insurance segments in Nigeria and selected African markets.
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Business
Premium Pension posts 24% AUM growth, sustains dividend run

By Rosemary Iwunze
Premium Pension Limited has recorded total assets of N21.07 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. This is against N15.84 billion recorded in 2024.
This was disclosed to shareholders by the Chairman of the company, Maj. Gen. Bitrus Kwaji (Rtd) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.
He stated that total equity increased significantly to ₦14.65 billion from ₦12.69 billion in the prior year.
Fee Income also remained resilient, closing the year at ₦17.771 billion, compared to ₦13.93 billion in the previous year, reflecting improved operational efficiency and service delivery.
Assets Under Management (AUM) grew by over ₦328.5 billion, representing a 24.2% year-on-year increase, closing at ₦1.67 trillion in December 2025.
Retirement Savings Account (RSA) count increased by 32,698 new members, bringing total RSA holders to 850,797 as at December 2025.
The company maintained its long-standing dividend tradition, declaring a final dividend of ₦2.96 per share, in addition to an interim dividend of ₦3.23, marking 18 consecutive years of payouts.
The company noted plans to accelerate growth through enhanced customer engagement and digital platforms.
Premium Pension also advanced its digital transformation initiatives to improve service delivery and customer experience, while strengthening governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Looking ahead, the company will focus on cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, talent development, and sustainable investments to drive long-term growth and shareholder value.
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Business
Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price to N1,250/litre

By Udeme Akpan
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, representing a two per cent decrease.
Market checks by Vanguard confirmed the development as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market amid declining crude oil prices in the international market.
An official of the refinery confirmed the price adjustment, attributing it to the sustained drop in global crude oil prices, the refinery’s major feedstock.
“It is true that we have adjusted the gantry price of petrol due to the reduction in crude oil prices, which is our major feedstock. In a deregulated market, such adjustments should be expected,” the official said.
He added: “We are still monitoring developments and will continue to adjust prices in line with market realities.”
However, findings showed that many filling stations across the country are yet to reflect the new pricing, with petrol still selling above N1,350 per litre depending on location and marketer.
Meanwhile, the refinery recently stated that it has become a major driver of Nigeria’s improving economic outlook following the country’s sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings.
According to the company, S&P upgraded Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to “B” from “B-”, citing stronger economic growth, improved external balances, rising oil production and increased domestic refining capacity as key factors supporting the nation’s economic recovery.
The refinery noted that the global ratings agency specifically identified the operational ramp-up of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s improving balance of payments position and broader economic resilience.
“Significant refining capacity is now also online; Dangote Industries Ltd.’s large-scale refinery and petrochemical complex has ramped up to near its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day,” the company stated.
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