Vienna, Austria – Nigeria is pushing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to name its oil minister as its secretary-general, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday, a move that could end a long-running leadership standoff at the cartel, but which could also be controversial at home. Nigeria’s delegation at OPEC has put Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke forward as a contender for the group’s top job, OPEC delegates said. If approved by the organization’s other members, she would be the first woman to …

Abuja, Nigeria – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed five new Group Executive Directors for the state-owned national oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said in a statement yesterday that the appointments were to fill vacancies currently existing in the corporation. The new executive directors include Mr. Ian Gregory Udoh, Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals (who replaces Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe); and Dr Dan Iwoene Efebo, Group Executive Director, Corporate Services (replacing Hamman A. Sambo, who has been …