The new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, has officially taken over from his predecessor, Mele Kyari.

Ojulari made the call for collaboration on Friday during the handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, where he acknowledged the scale of expectations ahead of his administration and urged the management and staff of the company to support his vision.

The development was announced in a press statement issued by NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye.

The statement reads in part:

“The new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, has officially taken over the reins of the company from his predecessor, Mr. Mele Kyari.

“In a brief handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Friday, the GCEO commended Kyari for his contributions to the growth of NNPC Ltd and his sterling service to the nation.

“He disclosed that the objective of his management was to consolidate on the successes of his predecessor and take the company to the next level.”

Ojulari highlighted that although the targets ahead are demanding, he is committed to driving the company forward through inclusive leadership and teamwork.

“I will be counting on your support. I will need it. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” he told Kyari.

In his response, Mele Kyari expressed confidence in Ojulari’s leadership and pledged his continuous support.

“I congratulate you and thank the Management and staff of the company for their support while I was in office. I will do everything within my power to support the new Management to succeed, stressing that I am only a call away,” Kyari said.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed that Benin Republic and Togo owe Nigeria a combined total of $8.84 million for electricity consumed in the fourth quarter of 2024.

In its latest report, NERC detailed payment remittances from both domestic and international bilateral customers, as well as special customers, based on invoices issued by the Market Operator.

Low Payment Performance by International Customers

The report revealed that six international bilateral customers supplied by Nigerian Generation Companies (GenCos) collectively paid only $5.21 million against a total invoice of $14.05 million, reflecting a payment performance of just 37.08%.

Among the international customers:

Paras-SBEE (Benin Republic) paid $2.65 million.

Paras-CEET (Benin Republic) paid $1.64 million.

Transcorp-SBEE (Ughelli, Benin) paid $1.71 million out of its $3.59 million invoice.

Transcorp-SBEE (Afam 3, Benin) paid $0.90 million out of $1.2 million.

Odukpani-CEET (Togo) still owes $2.37 million.

Mainstream-NIGELEC fully paid its $2.60 million invoice.

Domestic Customers’ Payment Performance

Nigeria’s domestic bilateral customers collectively paid ₦1.25 million against their ₦1.98 million invoice, achieving a remittance performance of 63.36%.

Some customers also made payments toward outstanding invoices from previous quarters:

Paras-CEET: $0.98 million

Paras-SBEE: $0.7 million

Transcorp-SBEE: $1.3 million

The Market Operator (MO) also received payments from domestic bilateral customers for previous quarters, including:

NDPHC-Weewood: ₦21.17 million

North South/Star Pipe: ₦11 million

Taopex: ₦83 million

Trans-Amadi (OAU/FMPI): ₦20.74 million

Ajaokuta Steel’s Non-Payment Continues

The report further noted that Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd and its host community failed to make any payments for their Q4 2024 invoices, totaling ₦1.27 billion (NBET) and ₦0.11 billion (MO).

“This continues a longstanding trend of non-payment by this customer,” NERC stated, urging the Federal Government to intervene.

Improved Revenue Collection by DisCos

Despite these debts, Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos) generated ₦509.84 billion in Q4 2024, accounting for 77.44% of the ₦658.40 billion billed during the period.

This marks an improvement in collection efficiency compared to Q3 2024, where DisCos collected ₦466.69 billion from a billed amount of ₦626.02 billion, representing a collection efficiency of 74.55%.

“The 77.44 percent collection efficiency recorded in Q4 2024 is an increase of 2.89 percentage points compared to the 74.55 percent recorded in Q3 2024,” NERC stated.

JMG Limited, a leading provider of electro-mechanical solutions in Nigeria, is celebrating Solar Appreciation Day on March 14, 2025, with a road walk to highlight the importance of renewable energy and engineering solutions for sustainable development.

This initiative builds on JMG’s recent participation in World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development (WED) on March 4, reaffirming the company’s commitment to energy efficiency, infrastructure development, and technological advancements in line with global sustainability goals.

Engineering for a Sustainable Future

Speaking on the initiative, Group General Manager Rabi Jammal emphasized that the event underscores JMG’s dedication to engineering excellence, clean energy adoption, and sustainable infrastructure development.

“As the world transitions towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions, engineering remains the driving force behind innovation and progress. Our road walk serves as a platform to engage the public on the pivotal role of engineering in shaping a more sustainable future. Solar energy is just one of the many solutions we champion to ensure access to affordable, reliable, and renewable power sources,” Rabi stated during the walk.

Promoting Renewable Energy Awareness

Participants—including JMG employees, industry stakeholders, and sustainability advocates—wore branded T-shirts with inscriptions on electro-mechanical solutions and renewable energy, reflecting the company’s expertise in:

Solar power

Traditional power generation

Electrical systems

Vertical transportation

Air compression and cooling solutions

JMG’s commitment to engineering-led development is evident in its expanding renewable energy portfolio. Since 2018, the company has provided alternative power solutions such as inverters and batteries.

In 2024, JMG reinforced its leadership in Nigeria’s renewable energy market with LONGi solar panels, Deye lithium batteries, and Must solar inverters, offering innovative energy alternatives.

Beyond energy, JMG is shaping sustainable cities and communities by integrating smart infrastructure, reducing energy waste, and promoting industrial efficiency.

These efforts align with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

A Call for Action

As JMG continues to lead the conversation on engineering sustainability, the company invites stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to drive meaningful change toward a cleaner, greener, and more energy-efficient Nigeria.

About JMG Limited

JMG Limited is a premier provider of electro-mechanical solutions, specializing in power generation, renewable energy, electrical systems, and infrastructure development.

With a legacy of engineering excellence, JMG is dedicated to advancing sustainable technologies that enhance lives and businesses across Nigeria.

For more information, visit www.jmglimited.com.