The federal government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s first methanol production facility at the Ondo Linyi industrial hub in Ondo state.
The minister of state for petroleum resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, made the statement on Monday November, 10 while inspecting the SuperTech methanol and ammonium bicarbonate facility in Omotosho, Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA).
He described the project as a landmark in leveraging Nigeria’s natural gas resources for industrialization and economic growth.
The plant aims to increase production from 100,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons by 2026.
Ekpo emphasized that the government would provide all necessary support to ensure the successful expansion of the facility, collaborating with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and relevant regulatory bodies.
He noted that NNPC’s upstream operations had been directed to utilize methanol from the plant to enhance local industrial activity and strengthen the gas-based product value chain.
He stated, “I am impressed with SuperTech’s investments in Ondo state.
“The federal government will encourage these projects to grow from a production of 100,000 metric tons to an estimated 500,000 metric tons by 2026.”
He added that government efforts would focus on increasing domestic supply and reducing import dependence, including directives to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to prioritize local distribution over exports.
The NNPCL Group Executive Officer (GEO), Bashiru Ojulari, represented by Lekan Ogunleye, Executive vice president, Gas, Power and New Energy, highlighted that 2026 would be a pivotal year for Nigeria’s gas industry.
He assured that NNPC would continue supporting SuperTech and similar projects to drive job creation, revenue growth, and energy security.
Chairman of SuperTech Chemical Industry Limited, Yang Jijiang, expressed appreciation for the support from the federal government and Ondo state government.
He confirmed that the facility currently produces 100,000 tons of methanol and 160,000 tons of ammonium bicarbonate annually.
Yang also emphasized the company’s commitment to job creation, technology transfer, and long-term cooperation between China and Nigeria.
Principal Consultant to the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, Alex Ajipe, described the facility as a historic milestone, noting that local production of methanol and fertilizer would reduce import reliance and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
The Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari, already houses several factories, including medium-density fibre, cassava-to-ethanol, high-density fibreboard, plywood, and paper production facilities.
At the hub, the employment ratio of Nigerians to expatriates stands at 40:1, according to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
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