Business
Oando Reports Strong Q1 2025 Start
Oando Plc has released its unaudited results for the three months (Q1) ended March 31, 2025. Ahead of the Q1’25 scorecard, the company’s shares have seen remarkable rally on investors renewed interest. The N68.75 which the stock closed on Wednesday shows it has risen this year by 4.17 percent.
Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc said the “Q1 2025 marked a strong start to the year for us, with a 72 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in production volumes as a result of the successful integration of the NAOC assets into our portfolio, improved asset reliability and the reactivation of shut-in wells, reflecting early wins from our focus on operational efficiency and disciplined execution”.
“Beyond Nigeria, we have expanded our regional presence with our entry into Angola’s Kwanza Basin marking a major milestone in scaling our upstream footprint across Africa. Similarly, being named preferred bidder for the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago demonstrates the strength of our integrated business model, our growing role in the Afro-Caribbean landscape, and a reflection of our evolution into a more geographically diversified energy company”, he noted.
Oando Plc is Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions provider listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Oando operates across the entire energy value chain, encompassing upstream exploration and production, trading and renewable energy initiatives.
“Following a transformative 2024, our priority is to maximize the value of our expanded upstream portfolio through targeted infrastructure upgrades, rig-less well interventions and an extensive drilling programme in the second half of the year.
“These activities are now enabled by the working capital we have secured, giving us financial flexibility to accelerate execution. We are also taking decisive action to restructure our balance sheet towards restoring financial resilience,” Tinubu noted further.
He added, “With a full-year contribution from the NAOC assets, a more diversified trading operations and an optimized balance sheet, we are confident in our ability to generate stronger cash flows, reduce leverage, and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders.”
Read also: Here’s how to bridge Nigeria’s investment gap, unlock trillions
The performance highlights in Q1…
The company’s revenue grew by 2 percent year-on-year to N933 billion (Q1 2024: N915 billion), supported by higher upstream volumes and FX revaluation gains. Gross profit increased by 172 percent to N85 billion (Q1 2024: N31 billion), reflecting stronger E&P margins.
Capital expenditure rose to N45 billion (Q1 2024: N9 billion), driven by asset integration and production optimisation initiatives following the NAOC acquisition.
Pursuant to shareholder approval, the Board approved the distribution of 1.28 billion ordinary shares, reinforcing value return commitments.
Through its subsidiaries, Oando Energy Resources and Oando Trading, the Company holds interests in onshore and offshore oil and gas assets and maintains a significant presence in the global energy trading market.
Exploration and production
Oando achieved average daily production of 37,595 boepd (within guidance), up 72 percent year-on-year, driven by the full consolidation of NAOC assets and well reactivations. Crude oil production rose 132 percent to 11,369 bopd, gas volumes grew 56 percent to 25,185 boepd, and NGL production increased 30 percent to 1,040 bpd.
Oando recorded zero lost-time injuries (LTIs) and 12.3 million LTI-free hours, underscoring continued HSE excellence. It was awarded operatorship of Block KON 13 in Angola, marking a strategic entry into the Kwanza Basin and expanding Oando’s African upstream footprint.
Trading
6 crude oil cargos (5.96 MMbbl) traded in Q1 2025, up from 4 cargos (4.86MMbbl) in Q1 2024, driven by stronger offtake execution. No PMS cargos traded in Q1 2025 (Q1 2024: 4 cargos), reflecting lower market demand post-subsidy removal and increased local refinery supply. Increased crude volumes partially offset reduced PMS activity, with new pre-financing structures advancing to support future growth. Selected as preferred bidder for the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad & Tobago, establishing a strategic foothold in the Caribbean downstream market.
Read also: Oando, Dangote Sugar, CWG stocks push market higher by 1.22%
Clean Energy
Achieved 53,941 EV rides in Q1 and 42,779 kg of CO₂ emissions averted through 2 operational e-buses under the electric mobility programme.
Advanced development of a 1.2GW solar PV module assembly plant, with land secured and financial modelling completed.
Progressed PET recycling facility with land acquisition finalised and revised contracting strategy in place for a 2,750 tons/month plant.
Re-evaluated waste-to-energy project with BGE due to capital cost considerations; feasibility review ongoing.
Completed techno-economic study for a 6MW geothermal pilot, continued engagements with key partners.
Published Nigeria’s National Wind Resource Capacity Report, identifying state-level wind potential across the country.
Mining and Infrastructure
Advanced partnerships on bitumen and lithium development; sample testing confirmed resource viability.
Launched early-stage assessments for gold and tin assets, supporting long-term diversification into base metals.
Focused on de-risking and progressing assets with near-term production potential while securing strategic funding and technical partners.
2025 Outlook
Oando’s target full-year production of 30–40 kboepd was maintained, driven by a balanced capital programme of 3 new wells, 9 workovers, and 6 rig-less interventions
Projected capex of $250–270 million focused on drilling, infrastructure, and ESG projects, with a 20 percent cost reduction goal
Trading guidance of 25 – 35 MMbbl crude oil; 750,000 – 1,000,000 MT refined products
50 electric buses to be deployed in 2025; progress solar PV module assembly plant toward FID.
Executing capital restructure and liquidity optimisation to improve financial resilience and returns.
Businessday.ng
The Nigerian currency, Naira (₦), continued its battle against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Saturday.
Daily Voice reports that data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the local currency sold at ₦1,321.2160/1$ on Sunday.
The latest rate is the same as Saturday’s rate of ₦1,321.2160/1$.
At the parallel market (black market), however, the naira closed on Sunday at ₦1,400 to the dollar.
The offers by commercial banks, Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, and other foreign exchange dealers may, however, differ from the reference rates due to transaction margins and prevailing demand and supply conditions.
Market participants will continue to monitor foreign exchange inflows, demand for dollars, and CBN policies for indications of whether the naira can sustain its gains through the month.
Cement prices in Nigeria remain elevated, with a 50kg bag selling for between ₦12,000 and ₦15,000 in many markets, putting further pressure on builders, contractors and Nigerians planning construction projects.
The latest market data shows that although some brands are currently available below the ₦15,000 mark, the industry remains significantly more expensive than it was at the end of 2025 and early 2026.
Recent market quotations show the following indicative prices for a 50kg bag:
Note: prices may vary by location and transportation costs.
These figures are based on a September 1 market report and can vary depending on location, transportation costs, dealer margins and supply conditions.
However, July industry data painted a more expensive picture. CementNet reported retail prices of ₦12,000 to ₦15,000, with Dangote selling for about ₦13,000–₦15,000, BUA at ₦12,000–₦14,500, and HBM Nigeria, formerly Lafarge Africa, at ₦12,000–₦13,500.
The latest figures suggest that cement prices may have eased from the highest quotations seen earlier in the year, but the broader trend remains upward.
In July, The Guardian reported that a 50kg bag typically sold for ₦12,500–₦15,000 across major markets including Lagos, Abuja and Abia.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) also reported that prices had reached between ₦13,000 and ₦15,000 in some locations during the first half of 2026.
This means the current ₦12,000–₦14,000 quotations for several major brands should be viewed as some market-level moderation rather than a broad collapse in cement prices.
Why cement remains high
High energy and transportation costs continue to weigh heavily on the industry. Cement manufacturing requires significant amounts of energy, while moving cement from factories and depots to retail markets adds further costs.
Location is also playing an important role. Buyers in areas farther from production centres can pay substantially more because of haulage and distribution expenses.
The situation is particularly significant because Nigeria has substantial cement production capacity, yet retail prices remain high. The Guardian reported that domestic production exceeds consumption, with surplus output exported to neighbouring countries.
Nigerian civil servants on Grade Level 8 now earn between N1,479,276 and N1,914,514 annually, depending on their step within the scale, following the new minimum wage signed under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The figures fall under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), the framework that governs pay across Nigeria’s federal civil service.
CONPSS covers 17 grade levels in total, and a worker’s position within each level is shaped by their qualifications, length of service, and performance record.
Grade Level 8 has 14 steps, with each step representing a progression in earnings. Below is the full breakdown:
The gap between the lowest and highest steps at this level amounts to N435,238, reflecting how significantly length of service can affect take-home pay within a single grade.
Interest in the salary structure has grown since Tinubu’s government approved a new national minimum wage, which triggered a review of earnings across the public sector. Civil servants and job seekers have been keenly examining each grade level to understand what the adjusted structure means in practical terms.
Workers at Grade Level 8 are typically mid-level employees with some years of experience in the civil service. Their earnings sit above the entry-level grades but below the senior cadre, making this level a reference point for many who are planning career progression within the federal workforce.
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