Nigeria is set to phase out the importation of fertilisers as rising domestic production, driven largely by private-sector investments, positions the country to become a major centre for value-added oil and gas products.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Saidu Mohammed, disclosed this during an inspection visit to Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Mohammed stated that with the projected increase in output, Nigeria is expected to begin exporting urea by 2028, a move aimed at strengthening its role as a regional hub for value-added petroleum products.

The facility tour was part of a broader three-day assessment of selected midstream and downstream oil and gas installations across Rivers State.

According to him, the country is intentionally pursuing a strategy to emerge as a regional leader in value-added petroleum products, noting that the midstream sector is central to this ambition but demands heavy capital investment.

He explained that the continued importation of products such as urea and fertilisers could no longer be justified in light of the scale of current and planned investments in local production capacity.

“The midstream segment of the oil and gas industry is enormous and requires substantial funding,” Mohammed said, adding that Nigeria would need between $30 billion and $50 billion to fully position itself not only as an oil and gas hub but also as a producer of secondary derivatives.

He further pointed out that ongoing expansion projects at facilities such as Indorama and Dangote Fertiliser are expected to significantly increase local output, placing Nigeria on track to join the ranks of urea-exporting countries within the next two years.

“Products like fertilisers and urea are items Nigeria should no longer be importing,” Mohammed said. “With the expansions currently in progress, I am confident that within the next 24 months, Nigeria will be exporting urea, which is the right direction for the country.”