Nigeria Debuts New Crude Grade with Landmark Export to the Netherlands

Nigeria’s state oil company NNPC has exported its first cargo of a new light crude grade, Cawthorne, to the Netherlands, the company said on Wednesday.

NNPC is aiming to boost production and diversify its export streams as Nigeria works to lift output after years of underinvestment, oil theft and operational disruptions.

About 950,000 barrels were shipped from the Cawthorne floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO), located off Bonny in Rivers State, which supports output from oil mining lease 18, NNPC said.

The launch follows recent additions such as Nembe and Utapate crudes under what NNPC described as a broader strategy to expand Nigeria’s portfolio of exportable oil blends.

Nigeria produced about 1.4 million barrels per day in March, OPEC data shows, well below capacity.

NNPC Chief Executive Bashir Bayo Ojulari said the development supported government targets to raise crude output to three million bpd by 2030.

Nigeria depends on oil exports for most of its foreign exchange earnings.

Reuters

20 Killed, Multiple Abducted in Northwest Nigeria Village Raids

Armed men in Nigeria killed at least 20 people, including ​security guards, and abducted an unknown number ‌after attacking villages in northwestern Niger state, police and residents said late on Tuesday, the ​latest violence plaguing the north of ​the country.

The attack happened in Niger's Shiroro ⁠district, where kidnapping gangs and Islamist ​militants are known to operate.

Niger state police spokesperson ​Wasiu Abiodun said gunmen invaded Bagna and Erena villages on Tuesday and, when security responded, two ​community guards and a driver were killed ​and others injured.

But residents said at least 20 people ‌were ⁠killed and that the attackers, who also destroyed homes, operated for several hours and overwhelmed security personnel in the area.

Some ​villagers fled to ​the ⁠nearby towns of Gwada Zumba and Galadima Kogo, the residents said.

Insecurity ​is Nigeria's biggest problem and President ​Bola ⁠Tinubu is pushing to allow Nigeria's 36 states to establish their own police to ⁠help ​curb the violence.

Reuters

Related story: Dozens killed in Easter attacks in Nigeria

Former prominent slave port has renaissance as key Nigerian tourist attraction

The Nigerian town of Badagry in Lagos State was once a major slave port, one of the most prominent in West Africa during the transatlantic slave trade, which began in the early 16th century and declined in the 19th century. Today, it has become a key tourist destination and an important site for research into the history of slavery. The town is filled with monuments from the slave trade era, reflecting its complex and storied past.

CGTN Africa

Related story:  Video - Inside Nigeria’s coastal town of Badagry

Dangote refinery hikes exports to ease Africa supply crunch

Nigeria's Dangote refinery has increased gasoline and urea exports to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. Owner Aliko Dangote says the refinery has shipped around 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African nations.

Reuters

Dozens killed in Easter attacks in Nigeria

Dozens of people have been killed in multiple attacks in Nigeria over the Easter weekend.

France 24