Oando Energy Resources plans electricity generation from abandoned oil wells in Nigeria
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Oando Energy Resources, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, plans to generate electricity from abandoned oil wells through a pilot geothermal-style power project. This initiative aims to expand Nigeria鈥檚 clean energy capacity and support the country鈥檚 gas-to-power agenda. The company disclosed this during a visit by its management to the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe. Dr. Ainojie Irune, Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources, stated that the pilot project would repurpose abandoned oil wells across the Oando Joint Venture to produce geothermal-style electricity. He described this as an innovative, homegrown solution to transform Nigeria鈥檚 energy sector and improve electricity access. The project is part of Oando鈥檚 clean energy strategy, executed through Oando Clean Energy, which explores combining gas, solar, wind, and hydro resources for reliable and affordable electricity in Africa. Oando鈥檚 operations already support power generation through the 480-megawatt Okpai Independent Power Plant, which contributes to the national grid, supplying electricity to about 50 million Nigerians and accounting for approximately 15 percent of the nation鈥檚 power supply. Irune emphasized that the company's investment portfolio increasingly focuses on gas, which he considers critical for Nigeria鈥檚 economic recovery and industrial development. Minister Tegbe welcomed Oando鈥檚 engagement and reaffirmed the Federal Government鈥檚 commitment to strengthening gas-to-power delivery as a key pillar of Niger
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadAfeez Olatunji Adewale, a 27-year-old Nigerian, has been sentenced to five years in prison by a United States court for his involvement in a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of an American teenager. The US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handed down the sentence on Friday after Adewale pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. He will also serve three years of supervised release. Adewale was arrested in Nigeria on August 17, 2023, during a joint operation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation targeting sexual extortion suspects. He was extradited to the US in February 2026 with assistance from US authorities and the Nigerian government, and subsequently pleaded guilty in April. David Metcalf, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, stated that Adewale was the last of three Nigerian suspects convicted in connection with the case. His co-defendant, Samuel Abiodun, received a five-year sentence in June 2025 for money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. Another accomplice, Imoleayo Aina, also known as "Alice Dave," was sentenced to six years in October 2025 after pleading guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia, Wayne A. Jacobs, emphasized that the sentencing demonstrates that offenders cannot escape justice by operating outside the United States. Patrick Moll
England's quest for a World Cup title ended in the 2026 semi-finals against Argentina, a defeat attributed to a defensive strategy employed by coach Thomas Tuchel. After scoring, England adopted a highly defensive posture, described as "packing the bus" with 11 men behind the ball and maintaining only 12 percent possession between their 55th-minute goal and Argentina's 92nd-minute equalizer. This approach, likened to France's Maginot Line, allowed Argentina to bypass England's defense with well-tailored crosses. Critics, including ESPN FC, Thomas M眉ller, and Michael Owen, pointed to England's lack of bravery in controlling possession and their retreat after scoring. The article highlights a contrast with Argentina's coach, Scaloni, who made timely substitutions and adapted his strategy, bringing in offensive players like Nico Gonz谩lez and Rodrigo De Paul, and sacrificing a defender for a striker, Lautaro Mart铆nez, who scored the winning goal. Tuchel, conversely, removed an attacking threat and brought in defenders, with key offensive players remaining on the bench. The author suggests that strategy must be dynamic and adaptable, aligning with John Boyd's OODA loop Observe, Orient, Decide, Act and David Ogilvy's concept that "strategy is sacrifice." England's repeated semi-final and final exits in recent tournaments indicate that "football isn't coming home yet" due to a static strategic approach.
MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, has urged African governments to implement stable and predictable policy and regulatory frameworks to attract investment and unlock the continent鈥檚 economic potential. Speaking at the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Winter Seminar, Mupita emphasized that Africa's future prosperity relies on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening regional integration, and enabling broader economic participation, rather than on migration. He highlighted the crucial role of governments in creating an environment where policies are clear and consistent, encouraging businesses to commit capital. Mupita stated that migration should be viewed as a consequence of uneven economic development, not an isolated issue, and stressed that Africa's growing population can become an economic advantage through investments in skills development, infrastructure, financial systems, markets, and strong institutions. He also noted the importance of digital infrastructure in connecting people to education, entrepreneurship, financial services, and public services. MTN, which sponsored the seminar, believes in fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders to find solutions for the continent's development challenges.