Nigaz is an energy exploration and generation company operating throughout Nigeria, specializing in the construction of oil and gas refineries, pipelines, and gas power stations. [1] It is a joint venture between the Russian gas company Gazprom EP International B.V. (100% affiliate of OAO Gazprom) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. [2]
It plans to invest 2.5 billion US Dollars to build oil and gas refineries, pipelines and gas power stations in Nigeria. [3] Launching the company, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev announced his intention to form a major energy partnership with Nigeria at a meeting in Abuja with Nigerian president Umaru Yar'Adua. [4]
The company's name, a portmanteau of "Nigeria" and "Gazprom", attracted media attention because of its similarity to the potentially offensive word "niggaz", a plural form of "nigga", a slang derivative and reclaimed word from "nigger", in African American Vernacular English. [3] [5]
