President Bola Tinubu has applauded the commencement of full operation at the Indigenous Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate plant located in Ondo state, describing it as a milestone in local chemical and fertilizer production in the country.

The Chinese-owned SuperTech Chemical Industry Limited operates the facility, which is the first indigenous Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate plant in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo disclosed this on Sunday during a site tour and inspection of the SuperTech Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate Plant at the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, Omotosho, in Ore,.Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Ekpo, who was accompanied by top officials of the NNPC Ltd and other key industry stakeholders, said the project aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which envisions natural gas as a driver of industrial growth, innovation, and sustainable job creation.

According to the Minister, the plant has the capacity to produce 100,000 metric tons of methanol and 160,000 metric tons of ammonium bicarbonate annually- marking a historic leap for Nigeria’s gas-based industrialization.

“Moving around and seeing the kind of investment that has come into this place is encouraging. They are taking advantage of our natural gas resources to produce methanol and ammonium bicarbonate.

“I have also charged the NNPC representatives here to ensure upstream production takes advantage of this methanol output to support and grow this company.

“Mr. President is pleased that investors are using our gas resources to develop the economy. The Federal Government will give them all necessary support to scale production from the current 100,000 metric tons to the projected 500,000 metric tons by 2026,” Ekpo said.

He lauded the relocation of the entire production facility from China to Nigeria and its 100% mechanical completion as of March 2025, describing it as a testament to the resilience and technical competence of the project promoters.

“The relocation of this entire plant from China to Nigeria – and its full mechanical completion – speaks volumes about the determination and technical capacity of the promoters. It is a shining example of what’s possible when government policy aligns with the private sector initiative.

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“This facility is not only the first of its kind in Nigeria but also a vital addition to our downstream gas value chain, unlocking new opportunities for chemicals, fertilizers, and industrial inputs crucial to manufacturing and agriculture,” the minister added.

Speaking during the inspection, Mr Yang Jijiang, Chairman of SuperTech Chemical Industry, said the project demonstrates the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialization and energy transition agenda.

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Mr Jijiang explained that since commissioned of the facilities, Supertech has met its daily and monthly production capacity, demonstrating commitment to excellence and reliability.

According to him, the plant is positioned as Nigeria’s pioneer methanol producer, leveraging advanced facilities and strong partnerships to meet local esnd and drive industrial growth.

He added that the SuperTech Methanol and Ammonium Bicarbonate Plant is expected to play a vital role in Nigeria’s quest for gas-based industrialization, job creation, and export diversification.

“With strong support from the Federal and Ondo State Governments, NNPC Ltd, GACN, and NMDPRA, we have turned vision into reality,” he said.

Mr Jijiang noted that SuperTech is proud to contribute to job creation, technology transfer, and deeper cooperation between Nigeria and China.

Also speaking, Dr. Alexander Ajipe, Principal Consultant to the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, commended the Minister’s visit as a major morale booster for the Chinese investors.

“This project is a great achievement for Ondo State and Nigeria. We are now producing fertilizer and methanol locally, reducing our dependence on imports,” Ajipe said.