Nigeria has marked a new chapter in its industrial journey with the unveiling of the country’s first-ever methanol and ammonium bicarbonate plant in the Ondo–Linyi Industrial Hub, a project hailed as a major breakthrough for gas-powered industrialisation and self-sufficiency in chemical production.
Located in the heart of Ondo State, the Supertech Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate Plant is a $100 million investment driven by Chinese partners and backed by the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The facility is designed to produce 100,000 metric tons of methanol and 160,000 metric tons of ammonium bicarbonate annually — vital raw materials used in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.
During an inspection visit, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the project as “a turning point for Nigeria’s gas economy,” emphasising that it demonstrates how natural gas can power industries, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s non-oil economy.
“This plant is not just a factory; it is a symbol of our ambition to transform natural gas from mere exports into engines of industrial growth,” Ekpo said. “It reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to using gas as the backbone of our industrial development.”
The minister noted that the project’s successful relocation from China to Nigeria, with full mechanical completion achieved earlier in the year, shows the technical strength and resilience of the partnership. The government, he said, is already supporting plans to expand production to 500,000 metric tons by 2026 — a move expected to boost local supply chains and reduce reliance on chemical imports.
Chairman of Supertech Chemical Industry Limited, Mr. Yang Jijiang, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, noting that the project aligns with the country’s drive for energy transition and job creation. “Our mission is to build sustainable value from Nigeria’s gas wealth,” he said. “This investment represents our confidence in Nigeria’s economy and its people.”
Principal Consultant to the Ondo–Linyi Industrial Hub, Dr. Alexander Ajipe, added that the plant would save Nigeria millions in foreign exchange and position the country as a regional exporter of methanol-based products. “We are no longer just consumers of imported fertilisers and chemicals; we are now producers,” he said.
Minister Ekpo also commended the Ondo State Government, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for creating an investment-friendly environment and fostering partnerships that attract foreign investors. He assured that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen policies that support gas processing, distribution, and export.
The facility, which will employ hundreds of Nigerians, is part of a broader push to industrialise the gas sector — turning one of Nigeria’s most abundant natural resources into a catalyst for growth.
As the country moves closer to full operations at the plant, optimism is growing that the Ondo–Linyi Industrial Hub could soon emerge as one of West Africa’s leading centres for chemical and fertiliser production — a powerful signal that Nigeria’s long-held dream of gas-driven industrial independence is steadily becoming reality.