AS a major step towards advancing Nigeria’s industrialisation, Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC), a subsidiary of UAE-based Alpha Group, has partnered with China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation Ltd (CNCEC) to develop, construct, and finance the completion of the $20 billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta State. The formal signing ceremony took place at CNCEC headquarters in China, witnessed by Hon. Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), and representatives from both organisations.
The partnership comes on the heels of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting, where heads of state, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the importance of fostering economic ties between African nations and China. At the forum, agreements were made to prioritize projects that advance industrialization, infrastructure, and energy development across Africa. The Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park stands as a testament to these commitments, with Nigeria positioned as a key beneficiary. The collaboration aims to advance one of Nigeria’s most ambitious industrial projects, designed to transform the nation’s gas sector through large-scale infrastructure development. Speaking at the event, CNCEC President Li Zhenyu highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance in the company’s global expansion plans. “Nigeria has always been a priority market for CNCEC, and we are fully committed to contributing to its economic growth and industrialization,” he said. Zhenyu noted that CNCEC’s involvement in previous projects, such as the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery Complex, underscores its capacity to deliver on large-scale engineering projects.
Hon. Joseph Tegbe, representing Nigeria’s government, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China. He conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong support for the project, describing it as a key component of the administration’s agenda to promote industrialization and gas infrastructure development. “This partnership reflects Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with global players to unlock the potential of its abundant natural resources.
The Ogidigben project is a national priority, and we are confident it will drive significant economic growth,” Tegbe stated. He also emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to create jobs and expand Nigeria’s industrial base.
AGMC President Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh expressed gratitude to both CNCEC and the Nigerian government for their roles in facilitating the agreement. “This partnership is a testament to President Tinubu’s reforms, which have enhanced Nigeria’s appeal as an investment destination. The Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park will be a game-changer for Africa’s energy and industrial sectors,” Bayorh remarked.
He also acknowledged the support of key stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, whose strategic leadership has been instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s gas sector. Along with the leadership of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) GCEO, Mallam Mele Kyari and the Executive Vice President of Gas, Power, and New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye for their continued support of the Ogidigben GRIP Project. He further expressed many thanks and appreciation to the Director- General, Hon. Joseph Tegbe, and his delegation for witnessing the formal signing ceremony between the CNCEC and AGMC on the investment and financing of the Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park project, which underscores the significance of the Nigeria- China strategic bilateral partnership.
