The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has said Nigeria is on track to become a net exporter of urea and fertiliser by 2028, driven by ongoing investments and capacity expansions in the sector.
The authority’s Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, disclosed this on Thursday during an operational tour of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited facilities in Eleme, Rivers State.
Mohammed said the expansion of critical assets across the midstream and downstream segments would position Nigeria among leading urea-exporting nations and transform the country into a regional fertiliser production hub.
According to him, Nigeria is making steady progress towards restructuring its petroleum and manufacturing sectors to support sustainable economic growth.
“Value-added products such as fertilisers and urea plants are what this nation needs,” Mohammed said.
He noted that Nigeria had no justification for importing fertiliser or urea, given its abundant natural gas resources and growing industrial capacity.
“We are optimistic that ongoing expansions at Indorama and Dangote Fertiliser plants, among others, will enable Nigeria to join the league of urea-exporting countries within the next 24 months,” he added.
Needed Investment
Mohammed said the country was targeting a broader role as a hub for value-added petroleum products, stressing that while the midstream sector remains critical, it requires significant new investments to reach its full potential.
He estimated that Nigeria would need between $30 billion and $50 billion in additional investments to further strengthen the midstream oil and gas sector.
The NMDPRA chief urged stakeholders to look beyond energy supply, noting that the greatest opportunities lie in oil and gas derivatives, including fertilisers and petrochemical products.
“Fertiliser plants and other value additions to our hydrocarbon resources are essential for national growth,” he said.
Mohammed explained that the three-day operational tour of selected midstream and downstream facilities in Rivers State was aimed at engaging industry players and gaining firsthand insights into operational realities across the value chain.
“NMDPRA is ready to provide the necessary support and create an enabling environment to encourage further investments,” he assured.
He added that the delegation would also visit gas processing plants, manufacturing facilities, and refineries to obtain a comprehensive overview of sector operations.
Earlier, Indorama’s Chief Executive Officer, Munish Jindal, called on the regulator to review policies that no longer reflected the current realities of the manufacturing sector.
Jindal said the operational tour would help the authority better understand industry challenges and opportunities, while commending the NMDPRA for its continued support.
He pledged Indorama’s cooperation with the new leadership of the regulator, noting that the company operates the world’s largest single-train urea plant in Nigeria.
