Nigeria is set to begin exporting urea by 2028, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced, signalling the country’s growing ambition to become a major hub for value-added oil and gas products.
The regulator also revealed that Nigeria would soon commence large-scale fertiliser exports, as part of a broader push to harness private-sector investments and strengthen the midstream sector.
NMDPRA Chief Executive Saidu Mohammed disclosed the plans during a facility tour of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited in Rivers State on Wednesday. The visit was part of his three-day tour of selected midstream and downstream oil and gas facilities in the state.
A Strategic Shift to Value Addition
Mohammed said Nigeria is determined to move beyond importing value-added products such as urea and fertilisers, stressing that the country’s resources and private investments now justify local production and export.
He explained that the midstream sector is critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry but requires massive capital investment.
“The midstream segment of the oil and gas business is a tremendous one that requires massive investment. We need between $30bn and $50bn today if we are to put Nigeria on the right footing as a hub not only for oil and gas but also for secondary derivatives,” he said.
He added that ongoing expansions at Indorama and other facilities, including Dangote Fertiliser, make the export timeline achievable.
“With the expansion going on at Indorama and several other facilities, including Dangote Fertiliser, I am confident that within the next 24 months, Nigeria will join the league of urea-exporting countries, which is where we should be,” Mohammed said.
Rivers State: The Heart of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Infrastructure
Mohammed explained that Rivers State was chosen for the facility tour because of its strategic importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, housing key national assets such as refineries, processing plants, and manufacturing facilities.
“The midstream and downstream segments are well represented in Rivers State. Whatever aspect of gas processing, manufacturing or refining we want to see, we can find it here,” he said.
He stressed that the NMDPRA’s role is to create an enabling environment for operators and attract more investment into the sector.
“The authority is here to facilitate, provide support, and create the right environment for operators to expand investments, while we also attract more investors into the sector,” Mohammed added.
Indorama: A Model for Midstream Development
Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited’s CEO, Munish Jindal, said the regulator’s visit was important for understanding the operational realities, achievements, and challenges of the midstream sector.
Jindal, who noted that Indorama has operated in Nigeria for over 20 years, also commended the regulatory improvements over time.
“We thank the authorities for the understanding they have developed over the years for the midstream industry,” he said. “In the early days, it was challenging to explain our operational realities and needs, but that understanding has significantly improved over the past 18 years.”
He also called for regulatory adjustments, saying some existing provisions no longer reflect the realities of midstream manufacturing companies and requested exemptions where necessary.
What This Means for Nigeria
If successful, Nigeria’s entry into the urea export market would mark a major shift in its energy economy—moving from crude oil exports to producing and exporting higher-value petrochemical products.
The announcement signals growing confidence in the midstream sector and could attract further investments, as Nigeria seeks to capitalise on its natural gas resources and strengthen its position in global energy markets.