‎ By Oscar Chukwugekwu

‎In a big boost to the development of Nigerian content in oil and gas operations, Shell Companies in Nigeria said that it has awarded contracts worth $518 million to indigenous companies in 2025.

‎The move will reinforce its commitment to the growth of Nigerian content in the oil and gas industry.

The company’s Communications Manager, Mrs Gladys Afam-Anadu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

‎According to the statement, 123 indigenous companies were engaged across Shell’s operations and value chain during the year.

‎The statement quoted Shell’s Vice President, Commercial, Rohan D’Souza, as saying the payments reflected strong support for Nigerian service providers operating within the company’s businesses.

‎He said Shell views the development of indigenous companies as more than regulatory compliance, describing it as a long-term strategy that creates mutual value.

‎D’Souza noted that Nigerian firms have continued to provide technical, logistics and other specialised services, while benefiting from Shell’s capacity-building initiatives.

‎The statement also highlighted the recent launch of a $3 billion Contract Finance Facility by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SNEPCo).

‎The facility, established with nine leading Nigerian banks, is designed to help indigenous contractors execute projects awarded by SNEPCo.

‎It said the financing package would be available in both naira and United States dollars to improve contractors’ access to funding.

‎D’Souza further disclosed that Shell paid about $2.016 billion to the Nigerian Government in 2025.

‎The payments covered production entitlements, royalties, taxes and statutory fees, underscoring Shell’s longstanding partnership with Nigeria spanning more than six decades.