Shell bids $8.5bn to remain centre-stage in Nigeria

Given the low oil price environment where so many projects are quietly being put on hold, Shell's proposed programme for $8.5bn of investment is a powerful gesture to Nigeria's incoming civilian government. It came in the run-up to a presidential election on 27 February, contested by Olusegun Obasanjo, the only Nigerian military leader to hand over to civilian ruie, and Olu Falae, a minister of finance during the more recent military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.