President Bola Tinubu has approved a targeted fiscal incentive designed to unlock the long awaited Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Bonga Southwest Aparo (BSWA) deepwater project.
The project is estimated to attract about $20 billion in Foreign Direct Investment and position Nigeria for a new era of deepwater production, Andy Odeh, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mr Odeh said the approval followed months of intensive technical and commercial negotiations involving NNPC Limited as the concessionaire, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, and the Shell Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan.
“It represents the culmination of the president’s directive, issued during a courtesy visit by Shell CEO, Mr Sawan, to fast-track the enablers required to move this strategic national asset to FID.
“It signals renewed confidence in Nigeria’s policy direction and its resolve to translate reform momentum into tangible investment outcomes,” the statement said.
Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulari, said the approval is a testament to the President’s leadership, NNPC’s disciplined execution and ability to structure complex, bankable transactions that deliver value for Nigeria.
“For nearly two decades, the Bonga Southwest project remained stalled. Today, under President Tinubu’s reform-driven leadership and through NNPC’s sustained advocacy, we have broken that logjam. This is what partnership, persistence, and policy clarity can achieve.
“This milestone further affirms NNPC’s commitment, under the President’s leadership, to unlocking Nigeria’s vast energy potential through partnerships, disciplined innovation and execution excellence,” Mr Ojulari said.
The Bonga Southwest project will be the first FID on a Nigeria deepwater Production Sharing Contract asset since 2008, re-establishing Nigeria as a premier deepwater investment destination.
The statement said the fiscal package approved by Mr Tinubu includes an enhanced Production Tax Credit and resolution of the 2021 dispute settlement agreement, creating a competitive framework that balances national value with investor returns.
It said NNPC Limited, as concessionaire, worked closely with SNEPCo and the broader contractor party to develop alternative fiscal solutions that address structural constraints while protecting Nigeria’s long-term interests.
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“The approval was granted rigorous evaluation by the National Revenue Service and submission of recommendations to the Presidency.
“This milestone reinforces NNPC’s strategic pivot toward partnership-driven growth. By aligning with global majors like Shell and securing the enabling fiscal environment, NNPC Ltd is translating the President’s investment reform agenda into tangible outcomes—jobs, revenues, and energy security for Nigerians.”
With presidential approval secured, Mr Ojulari said NNPC Limited and its partners will now progress toward FID, triggering the multi-billion-dollar capital commitment that will transform Nigeria’s deepwater landscape and deliver enduring value to the nation.
“The Bonga Southwest Aparo project, operated by Shell with all IOCs in Nigeria as partners, will create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, and deliver 150,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 140 million standard cubic feet per day of gas upon completion,” the statement said.
