Welcome to the Nigeria Briefing Notes in which we look back on how Shell Companies in Nigeria performed in 2020. It was a year when COVID-19 ravaged the global economy and changed all our lives. I’m proud of the contribution Shell Companies in Nigeria were able to make to better health care, increased testing capacity and isolation centres but, first, I would like to thank all the medical and government workers who helped Nigeria through this difficult time. The resilience of my fellow Nigerians continues to encourage me in the future of our country.

I am immensely proud of the Shell Companies in Nigeria. The contribution we make to this country is astounding. Not only in terms of the revenue we generate for the nation but also in terms of what we are achieving when it comes to developing gas and increasing access to energy for Nigerians

We create jobs by investing in large energy projects, by awarding contracts to Nigerian businesses and by employing, training and empowering Nigerians across our businesses. We are building talent across all our interests and, especially, in natural gas and deep-water exploration. We believe our investments will enrich many areas of the country for the future.

Our gas businesses are working with the federal government to produce and supply energy to Nigerian commercial and industrial hubs. We’re helping local companies succeed through reliable and affordable power. But it’s not only about our businesses. We believe in increasing access to energy for all Nigerians and we therefore have provided funding to All On, a not-for-profit enterprise that finances renewable energy start-ups so that they can provide energy to communities that are off the power grid.

The idea of collaboration lies at the heart of the Shell Companies in Nigeria; with government; with local business partners; with schools, universities and hospitals, and with communities. We know that Nigerians have the power to achieve their own prosperity and we want to help them do that. Our support for health services, education and entrepreneurship shows just how much we value those we work alongside.

We work hard to support communities and they, in turn, engage with us and help us do better, every year. For example, in 2020 we had the lowest volume of oil spilled in at least a decade. This was achieved through the SPDC JV’s effective pipeline and asset management system, but also through the hard work that goes into forging positive relationships with surrounding communities who then help us.

COVID-19 hit Shell Companies in Nigeria in the same way as the rest of the world. The fact that we rallied, bounced back and produced oil and gas in line with our 5-year average speaks to the resilience and agility of our businesses and our teams. The fact that we also made a significant contribution to Nigeria’s COVID-19 response speaks of our commitment to this country.