Zulum Commends Indimi as $350m Indigenous FPSO Sets Sail for Nigeria
By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Kanempress News
8th November 2025
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has hailed the sail-away of Nigeria’s first wholly indigenous Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel as a milestone in the nation’s industrial and technological development.
Governor Zulum made the remarks on Saturday during the official sail-away ceremony of the EMEM FPSO, held at the Drydocks World facility in Dubai. The event marked the completion of the vessel’s construction and its readiness to depart for Nigerian waters.
Describing the project as more than an engineering accomplishment, Zulum said the EMEM FPSO represents “a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and a testament to what homegrown enterprise can achieve through vision, discipline, and excellence.”
The Governor also expressed appreciation to the government and people of Dubai for their hospitality, noting that hosting such a milestone in the UAE reflects “the strength of our shared commitment to innovation, trade, and sustainable development.”
Valued at $315 million, the EMEM FPSO was fully financed by Oriental Energy Resources Limited, an indigenous oil and gas company owned by Nigerian businessman Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Indimi. The facility boasts a storage capacity of one million barrels and a production rate of up to 30,000 barrels per day.
Zulum commended Dr. Indimi and the Oriental Energy team for their vision and dedication, describing the feat as a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s private sector capacity to drive industrial growth, create employment, and compete globally.
When deployed to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 15, the FPSO is expected to enhance Nigeria’s oil production and revenue generation, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and national economic diversification goals.
The Governor emphasized that the success of the project mirrors the resilience, innovation, and self-reliance shaping ongoing reconstruction and development efforts in Borno State.
“This achievement strengthens our belief that with determination and partnership, Nigeria’s best days lie ahead,” Zulum said, wishing the EMEM FPSO a safe journey and fruitful operations.
He concluded by describing the vessel as a symbol of Nigeria’s strength, ingenuity, and promise.
The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON), Oriental Energy Chairman Dr. Muhammadu Indimi, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and representatives of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
