Refiners battle crude shortage as Nigeria exports 306m barrels

crude oilAs local oil refiners in Nigeria complain of persistent crude shortages, the country exported an estimated 306 million barrels of crude oil between January and October 2025, according to figures from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The data reveal that while Nigeria produces substantial volumes of crude, the bulk of it is earmarked for export, leaving domestic refineries struggling to obtain adequate feedstock.

On several occasions, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has complained of low crude supply despite the naira-for-crude deal, prompting it to source feedstock from the United States and even from neighbouring countries like Ghana and others.

Similarly, the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria lamented that some of its members’ modular refineries shut down intermittently due to a lack of crude oil.

Between January and October, the CBN data shows that Nigeria’s crude production amounted to roughly 443.5 million barrels, averaging about 1.45 million barrels per day over the period. The calculation of total production is derived directly from the CBN’s monthly figures, which are presented in million barrels per day.

To determine actual monthly production, the daily output was multiplied by the number of days in each month. For example, January’s production averaged 1.54 mbpd, and with 31 days in the month, the total production reached 47.74 million barrels.

February, with 28 days, saw daily production of 1.47 mbpd, translating into 41.16 million barrels for the month.

This method was applied consistently through October, taking into account the varying number of days per month.

Exports, on the other hand, remained closely aligned with production trends but consistently represented a significant proportion of total output.

January’s daily export averaged 1.09 mbpd, which over 31 days equals 33.79 million barrels shipped out. February exports of 1.02 mbpd over 28 days amounted to 28.56 million barrels, and the pattern continued through October.

Cumulatively, total exports over the 10 months reached approximately 306.7 million barrels, accounting for nearly 69 per cent of total production. This left roughly 137 million barrels available for the domestic market.

The monthly breakdown reveals both the production and export dynamics. Crude production started strong in January at 1.54 mbpd but declined to 1.40 mbpd in March before recovering modestly to 1.51 mbpd in June and July. The last three months of the period, August to October, saw production ease again, with September dipping to 1.39 mbpd and October stabilising at 1.40 mbpd.

Export volumes followed the same trend. Higher production months like June and July saw exports rise to 1.06 mbpd, while lower production months, such as March and September, recorded exports below 0.95 mbpd.

This imbalance between local consumption and exports exposes the tension among local refineries despite the domestic crude supply obligation. The Domestic Crude Supply Obligation is a Nigerian regulatory policy under the Petroleum Industry Act section 109, requiring upstream oil producers to allocate a portion of their crude production for local refining.

Enforced by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the DCSO mandates that producers prioritise domestic demand over exports to strengthen national energy security, reduce reliance on imported products, and boost local refining capacity.

However, refiners said the DCSO implementation has been hampered by the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ policy. While the country produces a significant quantity of crude, a majority of the output is directed to overseas markets. Domestic refiners, therefore, have to contend with limited allocations, forcing some plants to operate below capacity or delay operations.

It was observed that the shortfall does not stem from insufficient national production but from the seeming prioritisation of export revenue, which is seen as more lucrative due to dollar-denominated payments.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, decried the inability of local refineries to secure crude for production. Idoko said a modular refinery like Opac couldn’t get crude, and it stopped production for months.

According to Idoko, local refineries have the capacity to produce more than their current output, blaming the lack of enough feedstock for the current output. “We have the capacity to produce far more than what we are producing now. The challenge has always been inadequate feedstock,” he stated.

Idoko stated that some modular refineries like OPAC produce about 10 per cent of their capacities, while some shut down due to a lack of crude oil.

“A good example, the OPAC refinery has a 10,000-barrel capacity. It produces just about 1,000, and it’s not consistent. Sometimes, the refinery is shut down for months because of the unavailability of crude. The Dangote refinery was recently producing at 60 per cent of its total capacity due to the unavailability of feedstock.

Regulatory gaps scaring African energy investors – NUPRC boss

The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa EyesanThe Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has warned that inconsistent regulatory frameworks across African countries remain one of the biggest obstacles to cross-border energy investments, calling for the strengthening of the African Petroleum Regulators’ Forum as a continent-wide platform for regulatory alignment.

Eyesan made the call in a keynote address at the Nigerian International Energy Summit held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Monday.

She was represented at the event by the Director, NUPRC, Mr Edu Inyang.

Her remarks were contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Head, Media and Strategic Communication of the commission, Mr Eniola Akinkuotu.

Speaking on the theme “One Africa, One Regulator Voice: Aligned Policies for Continental Prosperity and Investment,” the NUPRC boss said Africa’s energy challenge is no longer about resource availability, but about regulatory fragmentation that raises costs, delays projects and scares away investors.

“Investors are not deterred by Africa’s geology; they are deterred by inconsistent rules,” Eyesan said.

According to her, AFRIPERF was created to address this gap by driving regulatory convergence, improving predictability and accelerating the execution of cross-border oil and gas projects that can deliver shared prosperity across the continent.

“AFRIPERF was established to institutionalise regulatory convergence, provide predictability and enable faster execution of cross-border projects that deliver shared prosperity,” she added.

Eyesan explained that the forum, launched in collaboration with petroleum regulators across Africa, is already making progress in aligning technical standards, developing shared data platforms, building regulatory capacity and projecting a unified African voice at global energy and climate engagements.

She noted that Africa’s prospects for industrialisation and inclusive growth remain immense if its resources are developed through coordinated policies and aligned regulatory frameworks.

“Africa holds about eight per cent of global oil and gas reserves, nearly 30 per cent of known critical mineral resources, and has a population exceeding 1.5 billion people, most of whom are youthful and economically active.

“When these advantages are harnessed through integrated infrastructure, coordinated policies and aligned regulations, they can drive industrialisation, strengthen regional value chains, enhance energy security and deliver inclusive growth” she said.

Despite the global energy transition, Eyesan reaffirmed that oil and gas will remain central to Africa’s development for decades, supporting electricity generation, clean cooking, fertiliser and petrochemical production, as well as public revenues required to fund infrastructure, healthcare and education.

She highlighted Africa’s growing success in speaking with one voice at international platforms, noting that coordinated advocacy at successive Conferences of the Parties helped secure recognition of gas as a transition fuel and culminated in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh.

“These successes show what Africa can achieve when it speaks with one voice,” she said, adding that similar unity is required within the continent’s regulatory and investment frameworks.

Eyesan cited existing examples of policy alignment yielding results, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, regional power pools and cross-border gas infrastructure such as the West African Gas Pipeline.

However, she lamented that more than 180 trillion cubic feet of discovered natural gas across Africa remains undeveloped, largely due to fragmented markets and unaligned fiscal and regulatory regimes.

“This is a huge missed opportunity for energy access, industrial growth and economic transformation,” she said.

The NUPRC chief noted that Nigeria has taken deliberate steps to lead by example through the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, transparent licensing rounds and the development of major gas infrastructure projects such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline, the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline and the revived Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.

She also pointed to the establishment of the Africa Energy Bank, headquartered in Nigeria, as a major step towards mobilising African capital for African energy projects, especially at a time when global financing for fossil fuel investments is shrinking.

In her closing remarks, Eyesan urged African regulators and policymakers to deepen cooperation by strengthening AFRIPERF, expanding regional gas and electricity networks, adopting shared sustainability standards and maintaining a unified stance in global energy and climate discussions.

“Our voice must be one, our frameworks aligned, and our actions coordinated. Only then can we unlock the full transformative power of Africa’s resources for our people”, she said.

AFRIPERF, launched by African petroleum regulators, was conceived as a response to these challenges. The forum aims to harmonise regulatory standards, align fiscal and operational frameworks, share data and build capacity among regulators to support cross-border projects and improve Africa’s competitiveness as an investment destination.

CBN Outlines Priority Needs To Support Digital Financial Growth

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s fintech landscape, outlining the priorities needed to sustain innovation, strengthen system integrity, and support the next phase of digital financial growth.

The report examines the scale and maturity of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, highlighting the country’s leadership in real-time payments and the structural factors shaping recent growth. It positions fintech innovation as a complementary force within the financial system, expanding access, efficiency, and reach, while preserving stability and resilience.

Informed by surveys and extensive stakeholder engagement, the report outlines practical policy directions to improve regulatory coordination, strengthen supervisory capability, and support responsible innovation, including cross-border scale. It underscores interoperability, proportional regulation, and effective execution as critical enablers of sustainable ecosystem development.

This publication forms part of an ongoing series through which the CBN will continue to engage the financial sector, provide clearer regulatory direction, and support more coordinated execution. It is intended to serve as a shared reference point for banks, fintech firms, regulators, infrastructure providers, investors, and partners as Nigeria consolidates its position within the regional and global fintech landscape.

TotalEnergies Reaffirms Commitment To Local Content Development

TotalEnergies has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improve initiatives that will improve on its local content delivery.

Speaking at the 9th Nigerian International Energy Summit, Mr. Cyprian Ojum, Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Content, TotalEnergies, emphasized that local content is a strategic priority, not just a compliance checkbox.

He stated that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 is clear: every operator must treat local content as an operating philosophy, focusing on retaining value locally.

“This week, we are discussing content as a strategic priority. We are here to tell a story, one that centers on local consciousness. This is not about ticking a compliance checkbox or fulfilling a political obligation. It is about having a deliberate plan”

“The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 is very clear, every operator, alliance partner, project promoter, contractor, or any entity involved in monitoring the oil and gas industry in Nigeria must treat local content as an operating philosophy”

“From the moment a project is conceived, the key question becomes: what quantity of value will be retained locally at the end of this project? That is precisely how local content is defined under the 2010 Act. Project design must therefore be driven by value retention”.

“This is why, at the early stages of our projects, we engage in extensive iterations with the SDLD. We make multiple visits to the NCDMB and sit with the Project Certification and Operations Department to review and refine our Nigerian Content Plan.”

“As mentioned earlier, the Act covers 17 service categories and over 300 subsections, each with clearly defined minimum and maximum local content thresholds. Whether the activity involves fabrication, construction, procurement, installation, transportation, drilling, mud services, or other operations, there are specific percentages that must be achieved, he said.

Ojum emphasized that local content is not just about compliance, but about building expertise and retaining value in-country. He cited the Agena project as an example of successful capacity building and value creation.

“Beyond value retention, Sections 10, 27, 28, 29, and 30 of the Act emphasize training Nigerians and developing capacity. For us, performance-driven local content is anchored on capacity building”.

“Take the Agena project as an example. Capacity development was deliberately built into the project through infrastructure investment. When LADOL and the Samsung–LADOL collaboration were referenced earlier, that speaks directly to TotalEnergies’ commitment.The largest FSO in Nigeria was delivered through this project”

“Within the Agena project alone, about 200 Nigerians were trained in critical skills that are actively deployed across the industry today not only within TotalEnergies, but also across other companies.

“Today, Agena contributes nearly 10 per cent of TotalEnergies’ global production. That level of impact underscores the scale of value created in Nigeria”, he said.

He explained that Total Energies’ approach includes: Human Capacity Development, designed to respond to industry needs, focusing on sustainability.

Value retention, by prioritizing local value creation and retention, and collaboration, this is done by working with local contractors and NCDMB to meet local content thresholds.

Ojum said TotalEnergies has achieved significant success in local content development, with its IKAN project reaching 95 per cent Nigerian content.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to building expertise and retaining value in the country,Ojum emphasized that Nigerians can deliver complex oil and gas projects to international standards, citing the IKAN project’s success, adding that the Ubata project aims to further push local content boundaries.

Ojum’s remarks highlight the importance of local content in driving Nigeria’s energy industry growth and sustainability.

Kano emirship crisis: Gov Yusuf’s alliance with Ganduje, APC sparks fresh rift, uncertainty

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has injected fresh uncertainty into the protracted Kano emirship crisis, raising a critical question on whether the political realignment will finally resolve the dispute, or will further complicate an already delicate situation?

For nearly two years, Kano has been gripped by an unprecedented royal standoff, with two emirs laying claim to the same revered stool.

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II operates from the historic Gidan Rumfa Palace, while the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, remains at the Nassarawa mini-palace.

Each enjoys backing from rival political and institutional forces.

How the Crisis Began

The roots of the crisis date back to March 2020, when former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje dethroned Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, citing alleged insubordination, and replaced him with Aminu Ado Bayero.

Many observers, however, linked the decision to political differences, particularly Sanusi’s perceived closeness to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

In May 2024, the pendulum swung again. The NNPP-led government of Abba Kabir Yusuf repealed the 2019 emirate law, abolished the five emirates created under it, and reinstated Sanusi as Emir of Kano.

The move restored a single-emir structure but triggered a fresh round of legal battles, with Bayero challenging his removal in court.

Defection Changes the Political Equation

Governor Yusuf’s recent move to the APC has altered the political landscape.

By joining the ruling party, Yusuf is now aligned with Ganduje and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, figures apparently regarded as supporters of Bayero.

The defection also marked a sharp break with Yusuf’s former political Godfather, Senator Kwankwaso, under whose influence Sanusi was believed to have secured his reinstatement.

This realignment immediately fuelled speculation that the emirship dispute could be revisited as part of broader reconciliation within the APC.

Government Signals Dialogue

The speculation gained traction after the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, suggested that the crisis could soon be resolved.

“Now we will sit down and resolve such problems calmly. These issues will no longer be difficult. There will be discussions; where apologies are needed, they will be offered, and where forgiveness is required, it will be granted. In some cases, someone may be asked to make sacrifices for the sake of peace,” Waiya said during a radio programme.

His comments were widely interpreted as a sign that political dialogue, rather than prolonged litigation, might be explored.

Sanusi Remains Emir – Gov Yusuf

Amid the rising speculation, Governor Yusuf moved to draw a clear line.

Speaking through his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, he insisted there was no plan to remove Emir Sanusi.

“There is no plan to replace Emir Sanusi on the throne of Kano. The appointment of the emir was done after the emirates law had been repealed, and there is no plan at the executive level for any further amendment,” the governor said.

“Emir Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano. This defection to the APC will not change the status quo.

Bayero Camp Pushes Back

Despite the governor’s assurances, the camp of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero has rejected any talk of a negotiated settlement.

Sarkin Dawakin Babba, Aminu Babban Dan Agundi, who initiated the legal challenge against the Kano State Government, said the matter is strictly for the courts.

“There is no negotiation that can lead to the removal of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. The matter is before the courts, and no one has the authority to give judgment except the court. Everyone should wait for the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said.

Settlement Still Possible – Legal experts

Legal analysts argue that while the matter is in court, a settlement is not legally foreclosed.

Barrister Umar Usman Dan Baito, a lecturer at Northwest University, Kano, told DAILY POST that Nigerian law allows for settlement at any stage.

“Even if a case is before the Supreme Court, parties can still reach a settlement through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Once the court adopts the agreement, the case comes to an end,” he said.

Resolution or Complication?

While Yusuf’s move to the APC could, in theory, create a platform for political consensus, it has also deepened suspicions and hardened positions among the rival camps.

With the court yet to deliver final judgments and political interests continuing to intersect with traditional authority, the emirship tussle remains finely balanced.

Whether the governor’s defection will unlock a lasting resolution or further entangle the crisis now depends on how political dialogue, legal processes, and traditional reconciliation are managed in the weeks ahead.

I may become APC member – Defense Minister, Musa

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, says he is likely to formally become a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Sunday Politics’, a programme on Channels Television, General Musa said he is currently in political transition.

Musa said he was grateful that APC gave him the platform to present himself as Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, and now Minister of Defense, adding that he would definitely support the party.

The former CDS maintained that President Bola Tinubu needs full support, expressing full readiness to give Tinubu the support in every way he could.
“I’ve not transitioned yet. I’m in transition. I think I’ll become a politician, a member of the APC, definitely.

“Mr President needs all support, totally,” he said.

NAFDAC Moves Against Sachet Alcohol, Denies Shutting Down Firms

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has resumed its enforcement to ban  the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles (below 200ml), in line with the recent directive of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This decisive action, ordered by the Nigerian Senate and backed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, underscores the Agencys statutory mandate to safeguard public health and protect vulnerable populationsparticularly children, adolescents, and young adultsfrom the harmful use of alcohol.
The proliferation of high-alcohol-content beverages in sachets and small containers less than 200 ml has made such products easily accessible, affordable, and concealable, leading to widespread misuse and resultant addiction among minors and some commercial drivers.
This public health menace has been linked to increased incidences of domestic violence, road accidents, school dropouts, and social vices across communities.
Placing a label to read not for children on the sachets and the small containers will not work. It cannot be enforced because of the peculiarity of the society.
 Many parents dont know their children take alcohol in sachet because the pack size can be easily concealed and the sachet is cheap.
History of six years of  moratorium given to manufacturers to reconfigure their product lines: In December 2018, NAFDAC, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN) to phase out sachet and small-volume alcohol packaging by January 31, 2024.
The moratorium was later extended to December 2025 to allow industry operators to exhaust old stock and reconfigure production lines.
NAFDAC emphasizes that the current Senate resolution aligns with the spirit and letter of that agreement and with Nigerias commitment to the World Health Assembly Global Strategy Resolution  to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (WHA63.13, 2010), to which Nigeria is a signatory since 2010.
The aim of the Resolution is to protect vulnerable population such as children and the youth.
The ban on sachet packaging and PET botttle less than 200 ml is to make it difficult for children to get to alcohol and its consumption.
NAFDAC approves alcohol in bigger pack sizes. The small size of the sachet makes it easier for underage to conceal from parents and teachers.
 Report from schools show that children conceal the sachets. A teacher recently reported that a student said he couldnt take exam without taking sachet alcohol.
NAFDAC did not close down any company that makes alcohol. The Agency only ban the alcohol in sachet and small containers less than 200ml.
According to Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, Director-General, NAFDAC:
This ban is not punitive; it is protective. It is aimed at safeguarding the health and future of our children and youth by not allowing alcohol in small pack sizes.
 The decision is rooted in scientific evidence and public health considerations. We cannot continue to sacrifice the wellbeing of Nigerians for economic gain.
The health of a nation is its true wealth.
NAFDAC reiterates that only two packages of alcoholic beverages are affected by this regulationspirit drinks packaged in sachets and small-volume PET/glass bottles below 200ml.
The Agency calls on all stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, to comply fully with the phase-out deadline, as no further extension will be entertained beyond December 2025.
The Agency will continue to work collaboratively with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to implement nationwide sensitization campaigns on the health and social dangers associated with alcohol misuse.
NAFDAC remains resolute in its mission to ensure that only safe, wholesome, and properly regulated products are available to Nigerians.
Nigerian govt apologizes for blackout in Lagos Int’l Airport

The Nigerian government, through the Federal Airport Authority, the manager of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), has apologized to passengers and stakeholders following a power outage at Terminal 1 at the weekend in Lagos state.

The Nigerian government agency, in a statement on its official X account on Sunday, attributed the disruption to a fault in the terminal’s changeover circuit.

According to FAAN, the interruption occurred after an issue arose during a power changeover process.

FAAN explained that its technical teams were immediately deployed to bridge the gap and transfer electricity supply to the secondary grid, while interim backup measures were activated to restore services as quickly as possible.

“We acknowledge the power outage at MMIA Terminal 1 yesterday (weekend). The interruption was caused by an issue with the changeover circuit.

“We apologize to all passengers and stakeholders affected by the disruption and any discomfort it caused”, the statement reads on X.

Hunger has become tool of control in Nigeria – Aisha Yesufu

Frontline activist, Aisha Yesufu has warned that hunger and poverty have been deliberately weaponized in Nigeria, describing them as tools used to weaken citizens and suppress critical thinking.

In a post on X, Yesufu said the widespread hunger has left many Nigerians struggling to survive, with little capacity to engage politically or hold leaders accountable.

According to her, this condition has created a society where those who are not hungry must think and act not only for themselves, but also on behalf of those who no longer have the strength or space to do so.

“Hunger that is deliberately inflicted has made many lose their capacity to think,” she said, adding that poverty has become “a cancer that has eaten up the very soul of our society.”

Yesufu accused the political leadership of entrenching poverty while offering temporary relief measures during election periods.

She argued that such interventions are short-lived and designed primarily to secure votes rather than address systemic issues.

She called on Nigerians who are economically stable to come together and serve as the “soul and conscience of the nation,” urging them to take a deliberate stand for the country’s future.

“Nigeria has everything it needs to be great,” Yesufu said, emphasizing the need to confront hunger and revive what she described as the nation’s weakened spirit.

“We must unlock the spirit that has been starved the Nigerian can-do spirit.”

Her remarks come amid growing public concern over rising food prices, deepening poverty, and economic hardship across the country.

Sanwo-Olu seeks deeper World Bank partnership for development

Lagos Gov., Sanwo-OluGov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu says Lagos State is ready to partner with the World Bank Group in energy, agriculture, tourism and human capital development.

He said the state was open to deeper collaboration and investment partnerships to improve infrastructure and raise living standards across Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Sunday at Lagos House, Marina, while receiving a World Bank delegation led by Managing Director (Operations), Ms Anna Bjerde.

The delegation also included the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Vice President for Africa, Mr Ethiopia Tafara.

The governor said Lagos remained committed to reforms that attract global support and was ready to meet requirements for increased World Bank assistance.

“Lagos is ready to do more to attract investments and partnerships that will positively impact our people.

“We are open to collaboration that strengthens infrastructure and accelerates inclusive growth,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted achievements under the THEMES+ agenda, saying its implementation had delivered measurable benefits to millions of residents.

He disclosed that Lagos moved from 29th to first position in the national Ease of Doing Business ranking within four years.

“We doubled our performance across critical areas through deliberate reforms and efficiency,” the governor said.

Earlier, Bjerde said the World Bank Group was keen to work with Lagos due to its strategic importance and reform-driven impact.

She described Lagos as a key World Bank stakeholder, citing stability created by recent economic and policy reforms.

“What Lagos is doing is demonstrative of national solutions. Nigeria’s policy consistency improves predictability, especially for investors,” she said.

Bjerde commended Lagos for reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the Ease of Doing Business environment.

She said the World Bank planned a five-year country review to assess progress at national and subnational levels, including Lagos.

Bjerde added that the institution was ready to leverage Lagos’ capacity to strengthen private sector financing across key sectors.