Nigeria's state oil company is preparing to take itself public, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company planning to sell between 5 and 10 percent of its stake through an initial public offering.
The move would mark a significant shift for NNPC, an institution that has long operated as a government-controlled entity largely shielded from public market scrutiny. Opening even a portion of the company to outside investors signals a new direction for how Nigeria manages one of its most powerful economic assets.
For everyday Nigerians and investors across the continent, the IPO could represent a rare chance to hold a piece of the country's oil wealth. The details of timing and pricing are still taking shape, but the conversation has already started.
Originally published by BusinessDay.