Opinion
*Why Matrix Energy Should Stop Dancing Naked*
By David Tunde
In a flagrant and audacious exhibition of corporate greed and regulatory failure, Matrix Energy Limited, a prominent player in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, led by CEO Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, has become embroiled in a scandal of monumental proportions involving the importation of subpar fuel products. This disturbing revelation, compounded by the company’s alleged complicity in illicit activities, raises grave concerns regarding the integrity of the Nigerian fuel supply chain and the potential perils to public health and safety.
Through the deliberate importation of blended low-grade petroleum products, which are subsequently sold as high-quality fuel, Matrix Energy is not only jeopardizing lives but also subverts the country’s economic governance framework. Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, a member of the esteemed Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PEEC), is exploiting his position of influence and proximity to powerful and corrupt individuals in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) , and The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited to perpetuate these nefarious activities with unbridled impunity.
Matrix Energy’s operations have been irrefutably linked to Malta, a preeminent European hub for the clandestine blending and ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products. A staggering 35% of shipments arriving in Malta comprise naphtha and other components, which are subsequently blended into petrol to produce “African Spec” products. These products are then transshipped into various vessels for ultimate delivery into Nigeria, perpetuating a complex web of clandestine transactions.
Further investigation reveals that the products from Malta are transported through a labyrinthine network of intermediate ships and companies, including Poly Pro Trading in Dubai. Notably, the listed office of Poly Pro Trading is merely a business center devoid of any physical presence, thereby obfuscating the trail of accountability. This is further complicated by the forgery of paper works and the representation of non-existent companies, which serve as a conduit for these surreptitious transactions and movements.
The fact that Malta, a country devoid of any known oil refineries, has emerged as the top European destination for blending and ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products is a damning indictment of the lack of regulation and oversight in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has demonstrably failed in its duty to regulate fuel quality, thereby enabling international commodity traders and Nigerian marketers to exploit this regulatory vacuum and import low-quality fuels with impunity.
Regrettably, the presence of unpatriotic individuals such as Adisa Aliu, Farouk Ahmed, Mele Kyari, and their cohorts in positions of decision-making ensures the perpetuation of the rot in our oil and gas sector, which will continue to thrive on a “balanced diet” of corruption and malfeasance. These are people that are ready to run our economy aground with unbridled greed, bigotry, nepotism, and illegalization of Institutional corruption from one catastrophic selfish agenda to the other, under the guise of improving the Oil and gas sector.
It is intriguing to ponder the rationale behind the selection of Russia and Malta as key players in this illicit operation. However, it is hardly surprising, given that these regions, being under international sanctions, lack stringent measures to curb illegal activities, thereby becoming a haven for corrupt individuals worldwide to converge and indulge in nefarious pursuits for their selfish interests.
The fact that Russia was expelled from the SWIFT global banking framework, comprising nearly 12,000 banks, renders any oil and gas transactions between Nigerian companies and Russian refineries illicit, as Russian banks are unable to open letters of credit for exports. This exposes Nigeria to diplomatic crises that could further compound all that we are going through. Consequently, it is no wonder that Malta has emerged as the premier European destination for blending and ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products, following the Greek navy’s decision to prohibit such activities in their offshore zone.
Notably, diesel from Russia is notoriously off-spec, and diesels from Matrix filling stations have failed the ASTM D4294 test method, which provides a rapid and precise measurement of total sulfur in petroleum and petroleum products with minimal sample preparation. This egregious situation has led to Matrix Energy peddling flammable diesel with toxic fumes to unsuspecting Nigerians, while reaping enormous profits.
The sheer magnitude of Matrix Energy’s operations is staggering, with over 200,000 tons of gasoline products from Malta allegedly discharged into a Jetty owned by Matrix Energy in July 2024. This represents a staggering 25 percent of Nigeria’s monthly PMS consumption, channeled to a relatively small player with a mere 150 retail stations, highlighting the vast scope of this illicit operation.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is undoubtedly complicit in the importation of substandard diesel and jet fuel into the country, thereby fueling concerns regarding the quality of products utilized in Nigeria. It is a travesty that Africa’s largest oil-producing nation has been importing inferior petroleum products from Malta, a country devoid of any known oil refineries. The evidence of this egregious act is ubiquitous and glaringly apparent to the federal government, unless they choose to willfully ignore it, even without conducting a thorough investigation into the operations of Adisa Aliu and Matrix Energy.
A cursory examination of the cargo trails, the non-existent Dubai business location, and the Malta-Russia adulterated imported fuel, would reveal the extent of this malfeasance. Furthermore, an investigation into the quality of fuel being dispensed at Matrix Filling stations would provide additional evidence of the nefarious activities. If these investigations are thoroughly conducted, the evil nature of Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu’s actions will be laid bare for all to see. His genocidal actions, posing a significant health hazard to Nigerian citizens, increasing the potential mortality rate due to accidents caused by adulterated fuel, and dilapidating the economy for selfish gains, will be exposed.
Matrix Energy’s recent maneuver to seek judicial protection and restrain media houses and other entities from further publishing revelatory stories about its oil shipping business is a farcical spectacle that ranks as one of the most absurd jokes of the century. This attempt to stifle the dissemination of incriminating information constitutes a blatant assault on the sacrosanct right to free expression, a fundamental tenet of democratic societies. By seeking to muzzle the media and suppress the truth, Matrix Energy is attempting to circumvent accountability and perpetuate its nefarious activities, thereby undermining the very fabric of transparency and public discourse.
Aliu’s “dance of shame” must be met with severe consequences. The shame and disdain brought upon Nigeria must be addressed forthwith. Nigeria must not be perceived as a country of fools. We are aware of the situation, and the President must take decisive action to address this madness. The weakness in regulating fuel quality poses a grave health risk to Nigerians. International commodity traders and Nigerian marketers are exploiting this regulatory vacuum to import low-quality fuels. This is grounds for the President to immediately sanction the regulators responsible for policing the midstream and downstream sector and take action concerning the leadership of the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria.
It is hardly astonishing that Matrix Energy would resort to extreme measures to protect and shield certain influential benefactors, whose identities and interests remain shrouded in secrecy. The primary motivation behind their decision to institute this lawsuit is to insulate and shield their accomplices within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other members of their clandestine cabal from the scrutiny of the media. By doing so, Matrix Energy seeks to conceal the complicity of these individuals and entities in their illicit activities, thereby perpetuating a culture of impunity and shielding them from accountability. This desperate attempt to gag the media and suppress the truth is another evidence to the company’s desperation to maintain the veil of secrecy surrounding their nefarious operations and protect their cohorts from exposure. This audacious move is an affront to the principles of openness and accountability, and it is imperative that it be vehemently resisted to safeguard the integrity of free expression and the public’s right to know.
To effectively mitigate this crisis, the Nigerian government must adopt a resolute and proactive stance. The leadership of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) must be held accountable for their failure to safeguard the interests of Nigerian consumers. Furthermore, the government should undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework governing the importation and distribution of petroleum products to prevent future recurrences of this nature.
Moreover, a thorough investigation into Matrix Energy Limited , and their Cabal’s involvement in illicit activities, including the importation of sanctioned Russian oil, is imperative. If found culpable, the company should face severe penalties, including the revocation of its operating license. It is imperative that Matrix Energy ceases its egregious activities and is held accountable for its actions. The Nigerian people deserve a safe, reliable, and uninterrupted fuel supply, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that this is achieved.
The issue at hand extends beyond the mere importation of substandard fuel; it encompasses a complex web of illicit activities, including the importation of sanctioned products, falsification of documents to facilitate smooth operations, and the deliberate alteration of product origin. It is high time that Matrix Energy assumes responsibility for its actions and ceases its exploitative practices.
Nigerians deserve better and demand immediate action from the President to sanction the regulators responsible and address the leadership of the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria. Matrix Energy’s exploitation of Nigeria’s fuel market and the manipulation of our Judiciary must be halted, and those responsible must be held accountable. The citizens of Nigeria will no longer tolerate being treated as guinea pigs for corporate greed and regulatory failure.
Tunde is an oil and gas expert writing from Dundee, United Kingdom.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.