₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s first methanol production plant, located at the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub in Ondo State.

It was gathered that the facility targets an increase in output from 100,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons by 2026.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated this on Monday during an inspection of the SuperTech methanol and ammonium bicarbonate facility, located at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

According to the minister, the project is a landmark achievement in leveraging the country’s natural gas resources for industrialisation and economic growth.

He explained that the Federal Government would provide all necessary support to ensure the facility’s successful expansion, particularly through collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and other regulatory bodies.

The minister also noted that the NNPC’s upstream operations had been instructed to utilise methanol from the plant, enhancing local industrial activity and strengthening the value chain for gas-based products.

Ekpo said, “I am impressed with what I have seen done by SuperTech in this part of the country in Ondo State. Moving around and seeing the kind of investment that has come into this place is encouraging that they are taking advantage of our natural gas resources to produce methanol and ammonium bicarbonate.

“The Federal Government will give them all the necessary encouragement to make sure that these projects move from where they are producing 100,000 metric tons to the estimated 500,000 metric tons in the year 2026.”

He added that the government was collaborating with key producers to increase domestic supply and reduce import dependence.

“My ministry is not sleeping over that matter which was why we engaged NNPC, that is the national oil company, to engage with producers in the upstream space to make sure gas is available and, of course, the President has rolled out some executive orders last year to encourage gas production so that investors will go into that space.

“We are looking for a way to make sure there is no more importation of LPG and of the stuff into the country. Rather, we take advantage of what we are having here. We gave a directive to NLNG not to export, and they are not exporting anything. Everything is pushed in-country.

“Equally, I am in negotiation, in talks with NNPC, to make sure that Chevron and other companies like that that produce LPG that is not up to our own spec are doing necessary adjustments to make sure that it is flowing and circulated in-country so that the price will come down for our people.”

Also speaking, NNPC Group Executive Officer, Bashiru Ojulari, said the project highlights NNPC’s commitment to partnership and delivery of excellence.

Ojulari, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr. Lekan Ogunleye, stressed that 2026 would be a pivotal year for Nigeria’s gas industry, noting that NNPC would continue supporting SuperTech and similar projects to ensure job creation, revenue growth, and energy security.

He said, “We are proud to be partnering with SuperTech in delivering the first methanol and the first ammonium bicarbonate plant in Nigeria. We are the gas suppliers to this project, and the message today is clear that this is the beginning and not the end. NNPC will stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

“This is the era of gas. 2026 is going to be very pivotal for this country, so one should stand on the byline. Please get involved and make investments.

NNPC will support you and ensure that we generate employment, generate more tax revenue, and we deliver prosperity for the people of Nigeria as mandated by the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.”

Supertech Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria’s Industrial Growth

Chairman of Supertech Chemical Industry Limited, Mr. Yang Jijiang, said the company remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s gas industrialization and energy transition agenda through sustained investment, job creation, and technology transfer.

He confirmed that the company has successfully established production lines capable of producing 100,000 tons of methanol and 160,000 tons of ammonium bicarbonate annually.

“This achievement reflects the power of partnership and our shared determination to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas resources for sustainable industrial growth,” Yang said.

Local Production to Reduce Import Dependence

Principal Consultant to the Ondo–Linyi Industrial Hub, Dr. Alexander Ajipe, described the minister’s visit as a major morale booster for investors.
He noted that the project signifies a turning point for Nigeria.

“We are now producing fertilizers and methanol here. It means we will no longer rely on importation,” Ajipe said.

Freshandfitpod:
Most big businesses are setting shop in Lagos or Ondo, what is the secret?

wallrichy:
Can't they show the real company instead of these praise singers. Importantly, I noted that the minister seemed to be talking off point. I doubt he's knowledgeable enough to manned that ministry by the way he spoke.

Challenge to Nigerian: If you own your house, try and adopt biogas plant in a corner of your house. Atleast, you will be having a regular gas production of your own for your cooking and can also connect your tenants at a little monthly cost....your tenants will actually be paying you for the gas they are consuming instead of carrying cylinders up and down. Nigerians need to be proactive instead of waiting for miracle from a corrupt government....

Gerrard59:
cHiNa iS eXpLoItInG aFrIca/nIgErIa

Originality007:
Another leg over. Where is aketi chocolate multil billion naira factory in Ondo state. Not even a single choco milo

3exe3:
good whats the benefit of methanol in large quantities to nigerians . dont take this as an attack

Freshandfitpod:
Most big businesses are setting shop in Lagos or Ondo, what is the secret?