Business
OCP Africa Championing Agricultural Revolution Through Customised Fertilizer Blends
By Segun Olabode, Lagos
For Long, Nigerian farmers have been faced with several impediments to obtaining optimal value from their farmlands, ranging from low access to quality inputs, problematic soilssoils, and inadequate training on good agricultural practices; these challenges if not resolved will pose a threat to the nation’s food system.
In addressing the nation’s food security challenges, there is need to discontinue the use of generic fertilizer blends for all soil and crop types. There is no better time than now to introduce soil and crop specific fertilizers. The adoption of specialty fertilizers to address specific crop nutrition needs is an emerging trend in global agriculture practice due to different soil nutrient compositions. OCP Africa, a world leader in phosphate and its derivatives, believes that efficient use of specialty fertilizer is one of the best ways to increase farmers’ productivity and ensure food security.
To provide customized fertilizers in the Nigeria agricultural space, OCP Africa has taken the initiative by pioneering the research & development and production of crop and soil specific blends of fertilizer by establishing ultra-modern fertilizer blending plants in three states across Nigeria (Kaduna, Ogun and Sokoto).
Each of the three ultra-modern blending plants tagged “Centre of Excellence” comprises of a Blending facility capable of composing 5 macro and 5 micro-nutrient elements, a Fertilizer and Soil testing laboratory, a Retail outlet for agricultural products and services called the “Farm and Fortune Hub” and a Model Farm. The blending plants have a combined production capacity of 500,000MT per year. In line with the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in year 2020, OCP Africa has deployed a state-of-the-art laboratory within the blending plant facilities to further ensure quality of its products meets nutrient specification.
Caleb Usoh, the Country Manager and Deputy Managing Director OCP Africa Nigeria disclosed that Ogun and Sokoto plants will commence production by 4th quarter of 2022 while the Kaduna plant which has been completed at the cost of $13.4 million commenced production in March 2022 and is slated for official commissioning by August 2022. The plant currently operates on a Toll Blending partnership arrangement that allows industry players and brand owners to leverage on OCP Africa’s plant capacity and expertise to provide quality fertilizers to their customers. The Kaduna plant currently engages over 250 persons in different job function all to foster a sustainable agricultural ecosystem in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: Stakeholders In Agric Business Seek Better Support For Vegetable Farmers
He also added that to further boost local production of fertilizers and enhance export capacity of Nigeria, OCP Africa is investing in a Joint Venture with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to develop an Ammonia and DAP Industrial plant. The $1.4 billion Industrial Plant project, to be cited in Akwa-Ibom is expected to utilize Nigerian gas and Moroccan phosphate to produce 750,000MT of ammonia and 1,000,000MT of phosphate fertilizers annually by 2025.
With the Nigerian consumption of NPK fertilizer blends projected to exceed 4,500,000 MT by the year 2030, OCP Africa is supporting the projected demand with massive investments in fertilizer production, R&D, distribution channel support, farmer-centric initiatives, among others with a view to actualizing the Nigeria vision of ensuring self-sufficiency in food production.
Business
NNPCL Reduces Fuel Price After Dangote Refinery’s Adjustment
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its premium motor spirit pump price on Thursday, according to DAILY POST.
It was confirmed that NNPCL retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have reduced their pump price to N890 per litre from N945.
This new fuel price has been reflected in NNPCL retail outlets such as mega station Danziyal Plaza, Central Area, Wuse Zone 4, Wuse Zone 6, and other of its filling stations in the nation’s capital.
READ ALSO:N5bn Damage: NNPCL Secures Appeal Court Victory Against Ararume
The latest downward review of fuel price in NNPCL outlets represents an N55 reduction in fuel pump price.
“It was reduced to N890 per litre this afternoon, down from N945,” an NNPCL fuel attendant told DAILY POST anonymously on Thursday.
This comes a Nigerian filling station, MRS Empire Energy, on Thursday adjusted their fuel pump price to N885 and N946 per litre, down from N910 and N955 per litre.
The latest fuel price reduction trend is unconnected to Dangote Refinery’s ex-depot petrol price adjustment by N30 to N820 per litre from N850 and the price of crude oil in the international market.
Business
Dangote Refinery Reduces Fuel Price
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol, by N30, from N850 to N820 per litre, effective from August 12, 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement by the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chijiena, on Tuesday.
The 650,000-barrel-per-day plant said the move is part of its unwavering commitment to national development, assuring the public of a consistent and uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.
READ ALSO:Dangote Refinery Gets New CEO
“In line with our dedication to operational excellence and sustainable energy solutions, Dangote Petroleum Refinery will commence the phased deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks for fuel distribution across Nigeria, effective August 15, 2025,” said Chijiena.
The announcement comes as the refinery prepares to commence direct fuel distribution nationwide. The development is expected to lead petroleum product marketers to reduce their pump prices in the coming days.
In Abuja, the retail fuel price stood between N885 and N970 per litre as of Tuesday evening.
Business
Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US
India Refineries have abandoned Russian crude for Nigerian crude, while domestic refiner Dangote Refinery relies heavily on West Texas Intermediate crude from the United States of America.
This followed a recent sanction threat by US president Donald Trump on India over continued patronage of Russian crude.
According to Reuters, industry sources said that Indian Oil Corporation recently bought one million barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude for September 2025 delivery in a tender awarded to global trader Trafigura.
Also included are one million barrels of Angola Girassol, one million barrels of US Mars, three million barrels of Abu Dhabi Murban, and two million barrels of Nigerian oil, according to Reuters.
READ ALSO:‘My Eyes Dey Your Body’: Drama As Portable Professes Love For Regina Daniels
The report noted that the purchase is part of a broader sourcing spree that has seen Indian refiners secure millions of barrels from non-Russian sources post July 2025.
Meanwhile, Indian refiners secured purchases of Nigerian crude grades; the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is relying on around 60 percent on US and other imoorts to feed its processing units.
Data showed that the refinery imported an average of 10 million barrels in July 2025, saying it was increasingly relying on the US for its feedstock despite the naira-for-crude deal with the Federal Government, which kicked off in October last year.
According to Reuters, the Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum have bought a million barrels of non-Russian crude billed for delivery in September and October after the US pressured India to halt purchases from Russia.
READ ALSO:
Indian state refiners had been largely absent from the Nigerian crude market spotlight since 2022; they have in the past concentrated on Russian crude amid the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, the Indian refiners paused Russian purchases in late July 2025 after pressure from US President Donald Trump.
On the part of Dangote Refinery, data from commodities analytics firm Kpler showed that in July, US barrels accounted for about 60 percent of Dangote’s 590,000 barrels per day of crude intake, with Nigerian grades making up the remaining 40 percent.
In July, the Dangote refinery’s crude imports surged to a record 590 kbd—driven largely by US barrels overtaking Nigerian supply for the first time—amid ongoing domestic sourcing challenges, Kpler reports.
“While WTI has held a significant share in Dangote’s import slate since March, this is the first time US crude has overtaken Nigerian supply—a shift driven by several factors,” Kpler stated.
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: Immigration Hikes Passport Fees To N100,000, N200,000
-
Politics4 days agoEdo PDP Knocks Okpebholo Over ₦2.5b Donation To UBTH
-
News3 days agoFirm Wants Attorney-General Investigate Court Ruling On Breach Of Contract
-
News4 days agoUS Court Sentences Osun Monarch To Prison Over $4.2m Fraud
-
News4 days agoOndo Bans Graduation Ceremonies In Primary, Junior Secondary Schools
-
News3 days agoAccess Holdings Names New GMD/CEO
-
News3 days agoBREAKING: Former Customs Comptroller-General, Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, Is Dead
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: NLC Defies Edo Assembly Resolution, Inaugurates Factional Caretaker Committee
-
Metro4 days agoMan Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute
-
Headline3 days agoTwo US Pastors Arrested In $50m Human Trafficking, Fraud Case
