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Fidelity Bank Funds Construction Of Nigeria’s First Privately Built Onshore Oil Export Facility In 50 Years

By Amaka Obiefuna
In a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil production and export capabilities, leading financial institution Fidelity Bank Plc has facilitated the construction of the country’s first privately built and operated onshore crude export terminal in over 50 years.
The terminal, located at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State and operated by Green Energy International Limited (GEIL), successfully exported its first crude oil cargo at 2pm on Sunday, June 8, 2025, when a Shell-chartered vessel lifted the maiden shipment — marking a key milestone in the nation’s oil and gas industry.
Commenting on Fidelity Bank’s role in making the project a reality, Managing Director/CEO Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said: “Our partnership with Green Energy International underscores our confidence in the ability of indigenous companies to drive progress in the country’s energy sector.
“With an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels — expandable to 3 million — and a loading capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, this terminal will significantly boost Nigeria’s energy security. Transformative projects like this reflect Fidelity Bank’s deep-rooted mission to help individuals to grow, businesses to thrive and economies to prosper.”
The launch of the terminal is expected to ease reliance on offshore facilities and attract fresh investment into the country’s oil industry.
GEIL’s chairman, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, described the feat as a historic milestone made possible by divine intervention, the hard work of the company’s team, and the support of regulators.
“We appreciate all our partners and the dedication of our indigenous technical team who made this happen. It’s a proud moment for us, for Africa’s energy industry, and for the future of the country’s oil and gas development.”
According to Prof. Adegbulugbe, the terminal was constructed in under two years and stands as the first crude terminal developed by a private operator on the continent.
The terminal is designed to handle up to 250,000 barrels per day of crude injection, while the Otakikpo field currently produces about 10,000 barrels per day. The company explained that the terminal also provides a strategic evacuation route for more than 40 nearby stranded fields — collectively holding an estimated 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent — thereby strengthening production and export capabilities.
With growing global demand for Africa’s crude oil, the Otakikpo terminal is poised to attract further investment and reinforce Nigeria’s role in the international energy market. The facility will be key to improving oil evacuation and boosting production in line with the country’s long-term energy goals.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
RE: Clarification of N5Billion Bail Bond Signed By Fidelity Bank Managing Director

Our attention has been drawn to a publication on Sahara Reporters website titled, “Fidelity Bank MD Onyeali-Ikpe Confesses to Paying ₦5Billion To Avoid Police Detention Amid Over ₦19Billion Fraud Probe”.

 

We would like to categorically state this story is patently false and has been maliciously written to deceive the public into believing that a N5billion bail bond was payment to the Police to avoid detention.

 

While we are unable to comment on the substantive matter as it is before a competent court, we wish to state emphatically that there is no truth in the claims of the story.

 

The police invited the MD during their investigation of a matter reported by James Onyemenam against Mr. Ogo Whoba in respect of the management of the accounts of Woobs Resources Limited. After taking her statement, the police requested the MD to sign a N5 billion bail bond, which she signed on self-recognizance.

 

It is the N5billion bail bond that was signed by the MD that was referenced in her conversation with Mr. Ogo Whoba which was recorded without her consent. At no time did the MD pay N5bn to the Police to avoid detention but rather signed a bond as part of her bail requirements.

 

This mischievous allegation was presented to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in a petition written by Victor Ukutt for himself and on behalf of Mr. Whoba. The IGP commissioned a detailed and independent investigation into the allegation and found same to be baseless.

 

As a leading financial institution with a long-standing commitment to strong corporate governance, we remain dedicated to adhering to the rule of law and maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our dealings.

FIRS Boss Directs Opening Of Tax Offices On Weekends From June 14 – 29, 2025

By Amaka Obiefuna

Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has directed the extension of tax office operations to weekends for the month of June.

The directive, according to a statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, is part of Adedeji’s commitment to matching the agency’s customer-centric policy with tangible action.

With the directive, tax offices are expected to open for business from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday throughout the month of June.

The statement said the weekend service, which started on June 14, will end on Sunday, June 29, “and it is aimed at helping companies who are mandated by law to file their tax returns by the end of the month meet up with the deadline.”

Consequent upon Adedeji’s approval, the Coordinating Directors of Large Taxpayers Group (LTG), Government and Medium Taxpayers Group (GMTG) as well as Emerging Taxpayers Group (ETG), Ms Amina Ado, Dr Dick Irri and Mr Kabir Abba respectively have conveyed the decision of the management to all staff in the tax offices in the three groups.

“As you are aware, the month of June marks the peak of the annual Companies Income Tax (CIT) filling season, with many taxpayers whose financial year ends 31st December expected to file their tax returns by June 30.

“To ease the process for taxpayers, enhance service delivery, and maximize tax collection during this critical period, management has approved extension of tax office operations to weekends for the month of June 2025,” a directive jointly signed by the three Coordinating Directors said.

The FIRS chairman, on assumption of office, reorganized tax operations for ease of tax payment, leading the transformation of the agency from merely being a tax-collecting entity to a service-providing body.

NIA Partners Training Heights To Upskill IT Officers Of Insurance Companies

 

In a strategic move to strengthen digital resilience and innovation within the Nigerian insurance sector, the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), in collaboration with Training Heights, recently organized a specialized training for over 80 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and senior Information Technology (IT) leaders of its member insurance companies.

 

The training, which took place in two sessions on May 31st and June 14th, focused on ISO 27001 – Information Security Management Systems, ISO 20000 – IT Service Management Systems, and ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management Systems, ensuring a comprehensive approach to IT governance, risk management, and continuity planning.

 

In her opening remark, the Director General of the NIA, Mrs Bola Odukale highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that the training would not only add value to the individual participants but also support the broader transformation agenda of the association.

 

She emphasized that the training aligns with the current theme of the NIA Chairman’s administration, which is : “Digital Disruption and Social Innovation: Reshaping Our Traditional Models.”

 

The DG encouraged the attendees to maximize the opportunity to enhance their competencies in managing information systems securely and efficiently in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

 

Odukale said: “This initiative marks a significant step toward building a digitally empowered insurance industry, equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate emerging challenges while driving innovation and trust.

 

The training sessions was facilitated by Dr. Olumide Orlando, CEO of Training Heights, a renowned expert in IT standards and compliance.

 

Participants included Chief Digital Officers (CDOs), Heads of IT, and other key technology stakeholders across the NIA member companies.