The Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr Usman Bamanga Jada, has been honoured with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) Excellence Award for his contribution to Nigeria’s Economic Development.
The award was conferred on Jada in recognition of the remarkable achievements recorded by OGFZA under his leadership, particularly in attracting investments, improving business processes and driving growth across Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones.
MARCON said Jada’s leadership has positioned OGFZA as a key driver of economic development in the country’s oil and gas sector, with investments exceeding $24 billion and significant potential for employment generation.
The award was presented on Thursday, July 30, 2026, during the MARCON Annual Conference held at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Jada was represented at the ceremony by his Technical Adviser on Free Zones Development, Mr Iniobong Jackson, who received the award on his behalf.
The Chairman, MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Mr Paul Ogbuokiri, said the recognition was in appreciation of Jada’s visionary leadership, which has continued to reposition OGFZA as a strategic institution for investment promotion and industrial development.
“Under Mr Jada’s leadership, OGFZA has recorded remarkable milestones in investment attraction, infrastructure development and ease of doing business. His commitment to expanding Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones has strengthened the Authority’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and industrial development.”
Ogbuokiri further noted that Jada’s administration had facilitated the establishment of new free zones with expanding infrastructure to boost operational capacity and attract more investors into the sector.
He added that the Authority had also supported the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda, with President Bola Tinubu’s alternative energy drive attracting over $1 billion in foreign direct investment into the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone within about 17 months.
Ogbuokiri expressed optimism that the recognition would further inspire OGFZA to sustain its commitment to creating an enabling environment for investors while advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones as catalysts for industrialisation, economic growth and national development.
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