President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the commencement of full operations at Nigeria’s first indigenous Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate Plant, located at the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub in Omotosho, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing it as a milestone in the nation’s drive toward industrialization and energy diversification.
The SuperTech Chemical Industry Limited, a Chinese-owned company, operates the facility, which is designed to produce 100,000 metric tons of methanol and 160,000 metric tons of ammonium bicarbonate annually — marking a historic first for the country’s gas-based industrial development.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the plant on Sunday, accompanied by senior officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and other key stakeholders in the gas industry.
Ekpo said the facility’s operation aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions Nigeria’s natural gas resources as a catalyst for industrial growth, innovation, and sustainable job creation.
“They are taking advantage of our natural gas resources to produce methanol and ammonium bicarbonate. Mr. President is pleased that investors are using our gas to grow the economy,” Ekpo said.
“The Federal Government will provide all necessary support to scale production from 100,000 to 500,000 metric tons by 2026.”
The minister lauded the relocation of the entire production plant from China to Nigeria and its 100 percent mechanical completion as of March 2025, calling it a testament to the technical capacity and resilience of the promoters.
He described the project as a “vital addition to Nigeria’s downstream gas value chain,” which will unlock new opportunities for chemical production, fertilizer manufacturing, and industrial inputs essential for agriculture and manufacturing.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Yang Jijiang, Chairman of SuperTech Chemical Industry Limited, said the project underscores the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialization and energy transition agenda.
“Since commissioning, we have consistently met our daily and monthly production targets. This plant is a symbol of Nigeria’s capacity to produce what it consumes,” Jijiang said.
“With the support of the Federal and Ondo State Governments, NNPC Ltd, GACN, and NMDPRA, we have turned vision into reality.”
He added that the project would enhance job creation, technology transfer, and Nigeria–China cooperation, while positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global methanol and fertilizer market.
Also speaking, Dr. Alexander Ajipe, Principal Consultant to the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, hailed the project as “a great achievement” for both the state and the nation.
“We are now producing fertilizer and methanol locally, reducing our dependence on imports and boosting local industry,” Ajipe said.
The SuperTech Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate Plant, according to the company, will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s gas monetization strategy, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, promoting local content, and driving sustainable economic growth in Ondo State and beyond.
