Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Research Articles

POLITICS OF THE FUEL SUBSIDY REGIME, SUBSIDY REMOVAL, AND NIGERIA’S EXTERNAL RELATIONS

This study examines the implications of fuel subsidy removal for Nigeria’s external relations. Employing the ex-post facto research design, the primary data for the study were generated from focus group discussions with foremost economists, policy analysts, and experts in the oil sector. Other information was sourced from texts, periodical reports of the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Bureau of Statistics, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Nigerian Statistical Bulletin. A qualitative descriptive method is used to analyse the data. Anchored on a theoretical perspective of linkage politics, the study finds that subsidy removal, which is Nigeria’s domestic policy, has far-reaching impacts on the nation’s external relations. The policy ultimately shapes relations between Nigeria and other states on the global scene. Nigeria must effectively manage the challenges brought about by subsidy removal to maintain and strengthen its international ties and to open doors for more trade and investment with nations that are strategic to its development aspirations.

Natural resource fund governance and the institutionalization of rent seeking in Nigeria's oil sector

AbstractThe concept of resource curse is widely accepted in the extant literature. However, the burden of proof remains high as some resource‐rich countries experience rapid economic growth. This study examines how Nigeria's strategy for governance and management of revenue proceeds from petroleum resources has helped sustain rent‐seeking behavior, the resource curse phenomenon, and under‐development of the country. Using the theory of new institutionalism and a process‐tracing method, the article argues that political and historical dynamics in establishing legislation for governance and management of oil and gas revenues engendered path‐dependent rent‐seeking practices sustained by selfish political elites. The resource curse is not universal or inevitable in resource‐rich countries, but largely a product of institutionalization and sustenance of initial unhealthy practices. We recommend that recognizing the need for savings, stabilization, and investment, and setting clear fiscal rules to check excessive political discretion will reduce rent seeking and the resource curse in Nigeria and elsewhere.Related ArticlesAli, Hamid E., and Shahjahan Bhuiyan. 2022. “Governance, Natural Resources Rent, and Infrastructure Development: Evidence from the Middle East and North Africa.” Politics & Policy 50(2): 408–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12451.Ikeanyibe, Okechukwu M. 2018. “Bureaucratic Politics and the Implementation of Liberalization Reforms in Nigeria: A Study of the Unbundling and Reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.” Politics & Policy 46(2): 263–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12249.Mähler, Annegret. 2011. “Oil in Venezuela: Triggering Conflicts or Ensuring Stability? A Historical Comparative Analysis.” Politics & Policy 39(4): 583–611. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2011.00305.x.

Effect of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on Tax Revenue Collected in Nigeria

The study examined the effect of Treasury Single Account (TSA) on tax revenue collected in Nigeria. Company income tax, value added tax, and petroleum profit tax formed the dependent variables of the study. The study adopted an ex-post-facto research design, covering the period between 2011 and 2019. Secondary data were extracted from the Federal Inland Revenue Service website. Paired Sample T-test technique was used for the data analysis. In line with the specific objectives of the study which was to ascertain the effect treasury single account implementation on company income tax, value added tax, and petroleum profit tax revenue collected in Nigeria, it was revealed that TSA has a positive and significant effect on company income tax and value added tax revenue collected in Nigeria. TSA has a negative and insignificant effect on petroleum profit tax in Nigeria. This implies that TSA implementation has increased company income tax and value added tax collected in Nigeria. It is recommended therefore that the continuous use of TSA should be guaranteed by the government. This is because it led to an increase in company income tax collection in Nigeria. Every factor that works against its continued existence should be subdued. They should ensure that tax authorities continue to comply with TSA rules in remittance of value added tax collected to the consolidated revenue fund. They should ensure that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other oil and gas regulating authorities comply fully to the dictates of TSA.

Region‐centric infrastructure policies and the regional politics surrounding Chinese railway projects: Insights from the East Africa region

AbstractThe African Union and regional economic communities have identified infrastructure development, not least the enhancement of railway systems, as a key priority to advance regional and continental integration policy. The keen interest of Chinese actors in Africa's railway sector is largely welcomed as conducive to increasing infrastructural connectivity within and between Africa's sub‐regions. This article argues that regional railway projects must be assessed against regional political contexts, which crucially co‐determine the degree of coordination and cooperation in the context of region‐centric infrastructure policies. Competing national political agendas, exacerbated mostly by China's bilateral engagement with East African Community member states, has intensified East Africa's infrastructure race. This has resulted in a poorly coordinated standard‐gauge railway project along the East African Northern Corridor; consequently, its economic viability is in doubt.Related ArticlesIkeanyibe, Okechukwu Marcellus. 2018. “Bureaucratic Politics and the Implementation of Liberalization Reforms in Nigeria: A Study of the Unbundling and Reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.” Politics & Policy 46(2): 263–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12249.Iwuoha, Victor Chidubem, Nneka Ifeoma Okafor, and Emmanuel Ifeadike. 2022. “State Regulation of Nigeria's Maritime Ports: Exploring the Impact of Port Concession on Both the Regulator and the Operators.” Politics & Policy 50(5): 1032–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12495.McNamara, Madeleine W., John C. Morris, and Martin Mayer. 2014. “Expanding the Universe of Multi‐Organizational Arrangements: Contingent Coordination and the Deepwater Horizon Transportation Challenges.” Politics & Policy 42(3): 346–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12073.

Effect of Human Capital Development Policy on Staff Performance in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL)

The current study examines the Human Capital Development Policy as a tool for enhancing staff performance in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited. To achieve this purpose, several hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. For this purpose, several prior studies related to the variables were reviewed. A survey research design was adopted as a method to conduct this study. Precisely, a sample size of forty respondents was randomly selected for the assessment. A questionnaire method was used for the data collection, which was further analyzed by using regression analysis. The significance level of 0.05 was used for the statistical testing of hypotheses, which revealed the effect of policy implementation and employee job satisfaction in NNPCL. The Human Capital Development Policies and programs not only motivated the staff but also reflected better performance in the organization. Furthermore, this study recommended that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) should conduct a thorough analysis of the current state of Human Capital Development Policies to identify other areas that require improvement. This assessment should involve evaluating the existing and new policies and practices, identifying gaps, and measuring staff performance metrics. Additionally, it was indicated that should develop a comprehensive human capital development strategy that aligns with the company's goals. This strategy should include training and development programs, mentoring and coaching initiatives, and performance management processes.

Fuel Subsidy and Hyper Corruption in Nigeria

Abstract: Fuel subsidy has caused so much mightronares and troubles in Nigeria. It was the hydra problem confronting Nigeria national budget. Issues surfaced on the 29th day of May, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed fuel subsidy in Nigeria. Greatest number of Nigerians accepted the removal of the fuel subsidy in good faith against the backdrop of its benefits. Fundamentally, the fuel subsidy in Nigeria was used as a conduit pipe to siphon Nigeria’s resources. For example, an erstwhile Minister of Finance in Nigeria in August, 2020 said the federal government of Nigeria spends about N18-397 billion (Naira) on fuel subsidy daily. Also, a forensic audit of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by Price Water House Coopers revealed that petrol subsidy cost Nigeria almost ten billion naira between January 2012 and July 2013. Subsidy also distorted market and frustrated investment. “The greatest happiness of the greatest number” theory is adopted as the theoretical framework for this study and used the historical design, and the data collected are from secondary sources. The paper also peruses at the reasons for the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria and the gains Nigeria will make thereafter in the fuel industries. This study finds among others that corruption has rubbished the fuel subsidy in Nigeria. This paper finally made some recommendations that government officials and private participants in the petroleum industry found guilty of corruption in fuel subsidy in Nigeria should be sent to the gallows among others. Keywords: Fuel Subsidy: Corruption: Budget: Market Prices: Bureaucracy: Poor Masses: Nigeria.

Investigating the performance of bio-based demulsifiers for the demulsification of Nigerian crude oils

Commercial demulsifiers used by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are not biodegradable, making it paramount to seek bio-demulsifiers that can be produced in Nigeria from Nigerian vegetable seed oils. In this study, three demulsifiers were produced from Nigerian vegetable seed oils namely; Neem seeds, Mahogany seeds and Calabash seeds in concentrations ranging from 0.5-2.5 mL/10 mL of emulsion. These demulsifiers were tested under the same condition as the common commercial ones used in NNPC for static, dynamic, thermal and basic sediment and water removal. They all performed very well except for the dynamic test, which had low performance. The calabash demulsifier had a high performance of 80% same as the commercial on static test followed by Neem with 75%. The dynamic test recorded low results with the Neem demulsifier at 45% as the highest among the bio-demulsifiers and the commercial demulsifier recorded at 78%. On thermal tests, Calabash tied with commercial demulsifier at 80% followed by Neem demulsifier with 75%. In the basic sediment and water test, the Neem demulsifier had 75% while the commercial had 78%. They are, therefore, good enough to replace commercial demulsifiers. Keywords: Bio-Based, Demulsifiers, Demulsification, Investigating, Performance, Nigerian Crude oils

Sectoral Gas Demand and Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of sectoral gas consumption on economic development in Nigeria from 2010 to 2020. Gas demand for power, industries, homes, transportation, and gas costs were used as the independent variables for sectoral gas demand, and the misery index was used as the dependent variable for sustainable economic development, in order to achieve the purpose of the study. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Nigeria Gas Company, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were the sources of data on sectoral gas demand and economic development. The Autoregressive and Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique was used to analyse the data after carrying out the unit roots test. The result shows that gas demand for transport, industrial, and power sectors as well as its cost contributed to a rise in the global misery index, which ultimately hampered long run sustainable economic development. On the other side, household demand for gas decreased the misery index and, over time, hence promoted long run economic development in Nigeria. The study also found an insignificant nexus between demand for gas by the various sectors and economic development in the long run. In the short run, gas demand for transport and cost of gas had significant impact on economic development. Based on these results, the study concludes that gas demand had serious implication on economic development in the short run than long run. Consequent upon the findings, the study recommended: an increase in gas demand for household use and for transportation through a stable and competitive price of natural gas in order to enhance sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Pricing Strategy and Customer Retention in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Retail Outlets, South-West, Nigeria

Given that today's consumers are more informed about what they want and how to obtain it cheaply, managers must be more strategic and pro-active while making decisions relating to price system. In a selected South-West retail outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), this study investigates pricing strategy and its relative effect on customer retention. Questionnaire was used to collect primary data from a sample of 384 customers drawn from six mega stations and twelve affiliate stations located in the region. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses formulated. Results indicated that pricing strategy has a significant impact on customers’ retention. The study concluded that pricing strategy adopted in NNPC retail units must be in tune in determining customer retention, thus, it was recommended that management of NNPC retail outlets must consider pricing system as an integral part of their marketing strategy.

Effect of Biowaste Materials on the Physical Properties of Blended Fuel for Industrial Application

In this study, PMS gasoline gotten from randomly selected commercial fuel stations was blended with ethanol gotten from agricultural waste and developed nanoparticles Additives (D-NA). The blended samples were analyzed for their physical properties using methods recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The tests were carried out on the fuel's density, oxygenates, benzene content, research octane number (RON) and sulphur content. The results shown in the physical property tests done on these blended fuels when compared with the neat gasoline gotten from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), industry standards (DPR/SON) and global markets (United States US & United Kingdom UK) shows that the blended fuels meet all required standards and specifications. The additives had little effect on the fuel’s density but showed a sharp drop in its benzene content levels which makes it a healthier choice of fuel. Ethanol blended fuel had a higher oxygenate level than neat gasoline and the D-NA blended fuel. The research octane number for the three fuel samples showed favorably high numbers that fit the standards of the global market. The most interesting result is the Sulphur content which showed an increase in its values for the blended fuels although the values are within industrial and global limits. Keywords: PMS Fuel; physical properties; density; oxygenates; nanoadditives; ethanol

State regulation of Nigeria's maritime ports: Exploring the impact of port concession on both the regulator and the operators

Extant literature neglects the impact of state regulation in a dual structure of port governance by both the government and private terminal operators (via the public-private partnership). Using the Nigerian experience, this article interrogates the impact of the implementation of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) regulatory frameworks on the management of 2006 port concession in the maritime industry. Based on qualitative and content analysis of data, the article argues that poor articulation and implementation of the NPA regulatory frameworks are implicated in the level of port asset management, operational efficiency, quality of port service, compliance capacity of terminal operators, and patronage system in the maritime industry. The terminal operators capitalize on the complications and gaps in the NPA regulatory frameworks to substantially subvert the government's port control and undermine effective port-asset management in the maritime industry. Asongu, Simplice A., and Jacinta C. Nwachukwu. 2016. “Law, Politics, and the Quality of Government in Africa.” Politics & Policy 44(5): 916–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12171. Ikeanyibe, Okechukwu Marcellus. 2018. “Bureaucratic Politics and the Implementation of Liberalization Reforms in Nigeria: A Study of the Unbundling and Reorganization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.” Politics & Policy 46(2): 263–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12249. McNamara, Madeleine W., John C. Morris, and Martin Mayer. 2014. “Expanding the Universe of Multi-Organizational Arrangements: Contingent Coordination and the Deepwater Horizon Transportation Challenges.” Politics & Policy 42(3): 346–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12073. La literatura existente ignora el impacto de la regulación estatal en una estructura dual de gobernanza portuaria tanto por parte del gobierno como de los operadores de terminales privados (a través de la Asociación Público-Privada [PPP]). Utilizando la experiencia nigeriana, este artículo cuestiona el impacto de la implementación de los marcos regulatorios de la Autoridad Portuaria de Nigeria (NPA) en la gestión de las concesiones portuarias de 2006 en la industria marítima. Con base en el análisis cualitativo y de contenido de los datos, el artículo argumenta que la articulación e implementación deficientes de los marcos regulatorios de la NPA están implicadas en el nivel de gestión de activos portuarios, la eficiencia operativa, la calidad del servicio portuario, la capacidad de cumplimiento de los operadores de terminales y el sistema de patrocinio en el Industria marítima. Los operadores de terminales aprovechan las complicaciones y las brechas en los marcos regulatorios de la NPA para socavar sustancialmente el control portuario del gobierno y socavar la gestión eficaz de los activos portuarios en la industria marítima. 现有文献忽略了由政府和私人港口运营商(通过政府和社会资本合作，简称PPP)组成的双重港口治理结构中国家监管的影响。本文以尼日利亚为例，探究了尼日利亚港口管理局(NPA)监管框架的实施对航运业2006年港口特许经营权管理产生的影响。基于对数据的定性分析和内容分析，本文认为，NPA监管框架的表述欠佳和执行不力，与港口资产管理水平、运营效率、港口服务质量、港口运营商的合规能力、以及航运业的资助系统有关。港口运营商利用NPA监管框架中的混乱和漏洞，大大颠覆了政府对港口的控制并破坏了航运业的有效港口资产管理。

The Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act, Frontier Basins Exploration and the Global Energy Transition

The Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) passed into Law in 2021 has the major goal to reform the Nigerian petroleum sector operations into policy, regulations and business (commercial). In the line of this, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was transformed to NNPC Ltd to operate entirely commercially with a supervising Board and registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Such a commercial mandate will entail the need to explore and produce more oil and gas for export and domestic utilization. Oil is becoming less attractive as an energy source but gas is gaining momentum as a clean energy source in the global energy transition road-map. The global energy transition road-map is drawn around clean, alternative and renewable energies. The Nigerian frontier basins have recently come on board as new business opportunities with huge petroleum gas resources. These frontier basins comprise the Anambra, Benue, Bida, Chad (Nigerian sector), Dahomey, and Sokoto Basins as well as the Deep and Ultra-deep offshore. Maturing these basins through data generation and production of the gas resources therein will promote the nation’s gas utilization and gas expansion programmes meant to promote industrialization and huge employment generation, grow the economy and engender positive social transformation. The clause in the PIA that promotes frontier exploration is well-thought out. Available and required geological data needed to mature the frontier basins to producing basins are presented in this paper. The success made in Kolmani River-2 well discovery is a case study.

Effect of Performance Management on Employee Engagement in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

This paper examines the effect of performance management on employee engagement in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). A survey research design was employed with a population of 6621 staff of NNPC as of April 2020. Both primary and secondary data were used; questionnaire copies were shared among samples of 377 respondents from NNPC and other subsidiaries and divisions. Data analysis was conducted using mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics (ANOVA). Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient was used to test hypothesis with the help of SPSS version 20, which addresses the extent of the relationship between the variables under consideration. This study pointed out various proxies of performance management systems notably, objective setting, amendment of objectives, feedback result, reward system, and measurement of performance. The findings showed that performance management has a statistically significant impact on employee engagement. Therefore, the study concludes that objective setting, amendment of objective, on employee engagement in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The researcher recommended that the organization should set clear and realistic objectives as well as provide the tools and resources needed to realize such objectives; there should be more straightforwardness about the amendment of objectives in the organization. The organization should give a just and fair reward system and link such to the results of the performance evaluation; management of the organization should as a matter of necessity review employees’ work; and finally, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should measure staff performance both quarterly and annually in order to improve employee engagement.

The Public Sector in Nigeria: An Exploration of the Role of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

The Public Sector in Nigeria: An Exploration of the Role of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Basiru Musa International Relations and Diplomacy Department, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Tishk International University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq Correspondence: basiru.musa@tiu.edu.iq Received: June 22, 2022 | Revised: September 05, 2022 | Published: September 20, 2022 Abstract The […]

ASSESSMENT OF TOTAL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS (TPH) CONTAMINATION WITH Kyllinga pumila And Spirogyra longata AROUND NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) JOS DEPOT’S EFFLUENT WATER DISCHARGED POINT

One of the major environmental problems today is hydrocarbons contamination resulting from activities related to the petrochemical industry. Accidental releases of petroleum products are of particular concern in to the environment hydrocarbons compounds have been known to belong to the family of carcinogenic and neurotoxin organic pollutants. The use of plants to clean up this contaminated site is a promising technology and the ability of the plants to germinate and grow in petroleum-contaminated soil differs due to plants species as well as petroleum hydrocarbons types. In this study, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were determined in Kyllinga pumila and Spirogyra longata growing at Nigerian national petroleum corporation (NNPC) Jos Depot. The chemical analysis was carried out with the aid of Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) detector, the result showed that Spirongyra longata could germinate and grow in petroleum products contaminated site with TPH level of 6881.98595 ppm and Kyllinga pumila did not survived in the same site with TPH level of 9536. 88801 ppm.

Socio-Environmental Effects of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Depot, Apata, Ibadan on the Adjoining Neighbourhoods

Nigeria, one of the major crude oil producing countries in the world, transports petroleum products through pipelines to several oil depots located across the country from where it is trucked to end users. Activities within these depots are known to have impact on their immediate environment due to the nature of operations and the externalities generated. This paper therefore examined the socio-environmental effects of the Nigerian National Petroleum Depot, Apata, Ibadan on its immediate neighbourhood. A case study approach utilising primary and secondary data collection was adopted in which 205 residential buildings and respondents were proportionally selected for sampling from four neighbourhoods within 500 metres radius of the facility. An environmental audit including ground water samples were randomly collected for testing and analysis from Adebisi stream and residential hand-dug wells. Findings revealed local access road incapacitation emanating from indiscriminate parking of fuel tankers and spiralling into constant traffic congestion on major roads. Desludging of fuel storage tanks (79.5%) resulting into regular effluent discharge into the Adebisi stream and fume emission (62.6%), were attested to by residents. Water quality analysis revealed a high concentration of lead (pb.0.06mg/l) above the maximum permissible limit of (0.01mg/l) for potable water. Other detected metals, Cadmium (0.003mg/l), Copper (0.006mg/l) and Zinc (3.0 mg/l) were all within the appropriate recommended limits. The study recommended a periodic environmental audit and regular dialogue with stakeholders of the host communities for socio-environmental sustainability.

INVESTIGATION OF POLLUTION LEVELS OF SOILS WITHIN PETROLEUM DEPOTS IN NIGERIA

The petroleum depots are housing facilities for the erected petroleum storage tanks, which serve the purpose of keeping petroleum products. The threats posed by the storage tanks on the environment cannot be overlooked. Levels of chemical components of soil around the storage tanks of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depots in Kwara and Oyo States were assessed using exposure limits, health standards as well as pollution indices. Parameters such as pH, Electrical Conductivities (EC) and heavy metals (Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co and Ni) were determined in the soil around the storage tanks of the depots using standard methods. Average levels of heavy metals in soil followed the decreasing order Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cu > Co > Cd for Kwara Petroleum depot and Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Co > Cu > Cd for Oyo Petroleum depot. Zn (1.77 mg/g) and Mn (1.13 mg/g) were respectively above the regulatory limit of FEPA (0.75 mg/g and 0.48 mg/g), permissible limits of WHO (0.3 mg/g and 0.05 mg/g) and maximum permissible limits of USEPA (0.2 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g) for Kwara Petroleum depot. Fe was above the regulatory limit of FEPA (5.0 mg/g) for both depots. Oyo Petroleum depot had considerable degree of contamination (17.444) of heavy metals while Kwara Petroleum depot had a very high degree of contamination (42.325) of heavy metals. Metal Pollution Index values (1.351 and 1.632) for Oyo Petroleum depot and Kwara Petroleum respectively indicated pollution in both depots. The Pearson Correlation (at 0.05 significant level) showed significant correlation between most heavy metals which signified that they were likely from the same source. Installation of primary treatment plant or proper maintenance measures are recommended to be put in place.

Analysis of multi-factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries: a systems thinking approach

PurposeThe challenges facing the productivity of Nigeria's refineries have generated much academic discourse. This study was carried out to develop a causal loop model showing the interrelationships of the multiple factors driving the poor performance of the refineries. Using a framework of political, economic, social and technical (PEST) factors, the developed model helped identify leverage points for policy intervention in the system.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was adopted to collect quantitative data from 118 refinery workers and qualitative data from 14 participants polled from the various Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiaries. The quantitative data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM) to prioritise the more significant factors, while the qualitative data were analysed by content analysis to further validate the questionnaire findings and provide clearer contexts for the operationalisation of the factors.FindingsThe structural equation model identified several PEST factors such as government interference, political indecision, funding issues, spare parts costs, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, maintenance issues as some of the significant factors affecting the performance of the refineries. The interviews validated these findings and provided richer contexts on how these factors operate within system. A causal loop model was developed based on these findings to identify key leverage points upon which policy intervention through best practice, management autonomy and stakeholder satisfaction was proposed to address these challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uncovers that the factors which affect the performance of the refineries have significant multiple interrelationships, the understanding of which is crucial for developing effective solutions by policymakers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study lay important foundations for a deeper understanding of how PEST factors interact to drive suboptimal performance across NNPC refineries.Originality/valueThe causal loop model developed in this study provides a new approach to viewing and analysing the associated factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries from a non-linear perspective.

Challenges and Prospects of Indigenous Shipowners’ Participation in Oil Shipment In Nigeria

If Nigeria's economy is essentially import based, then the issue and fact that her infrastructure for industrial development and export are grossly underdeveloped, when the nation is having abundant national mineral resources to improve on her foreign earning, being a maritime and oil producing nation, Nigeria is not gaining enough from this natural resources due to the poor position of policy guiding the shipping trade and oil business. In this research work emphasis was laid on indigenous shipping operations in the areas of cargo oil shipment (importation and exporting) with the necessary policy guiding the operation in the business i.e. the National Shipping Policy Act of April, 1987 and the United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNTAD) code of conduct on conference lines and the role of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in area of oil shipment as defined by the NNPC policy on oil transportation by sea. Emphasis on the demerits of foreign shipping lines, continued domination of the shipping trade particularly in area of oil cargo; the challenges, prospect and the need of indigenous participation in oil shipment business, that Nigeria can use at the benefit of balance of payment was researched. While, the foreign shipping lines and operators continue to dominate the oil shipment trade in Nigeria even at the turn of the 21st century, Nigeria's corporate policy on shipping especially as it affects her indigenous operations remains hazy and at best epileptic. This research work in addition unraveled some of the policy and action that have kept Nigerian Indigenous Shipping Companies in a perpetual state of near paralysis and how such avoidable trends could be reversed in favour of growth and development of the Nation in general. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/77-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Acute toxicity of crude oil from NNPC and artisanal refineries in Niger Delta on selected aquatic biota

The spill of Crude oil from artisanal refineries and government owned pipelines has become recurrent situation in the Niger Delta, leading to devastating effects on the aquatic ecosystem. The toxicity of Crude oil from NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) refinery and selected artisanal refineries in Bolo, Twon-Brass and Ekpemu of the Niger Delta were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the products from the artisanal refineries short fall of the standards of Crude oil for refineries, as they contained impurities. The toxicity of the Crude oil was tested using three representatives of different trophic levels in the aquatic habitat; Fish (Tilapia guineensis), Crusteceans (Paleamonetes africanus), and Moluscs (Tympanotomus fuscatus). The LC50, NOEC, LOEC, and TUa were the indices used for toxicity assessment of the crude oil on the test organisms. The study revealed that all the Crude oil samples were toxic to the organisms. The degree of toxicity of crude oil showed the following trend; Ekpemu (LC50 – 0.02ppt)> Twon-Brass (LC50 – 0.06ppt)> Bolo (LC50 – 0.11ppt)> NNPC (LC50 – 4.63ppt), while the degree of sensitivity was; Tilapia guineensis > Paleamonetes africanus > Tympanotonus fuscatus. The findings further emphasize the need to control Crude oil spillage into the aquatic ecosystem.