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  • Verheijen, others speak at gas investment forum

    Verheijen, others speak at gas investment forum

    The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Ms. Olubukola Verheijen, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Ed Ubong; Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), NJ Ayuk; President, Nigeria  Gas Association, Akachukwu Nwokedi, and Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Wole Ogunsanya, an engineer, have been confirmed as speakers for the 2025 edition of the Gas Investment Forum (GIF) holding later in thee year between October 7 and 8 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, under the theme: “Charting New Opportunities for Investment, Growth & Industrialisation.”

    According to the Event Director, Osaze Isesele, the Forum—now in its third edition—has become a central platform for strategic dialogue around Nigeria’s gas monetisation agenda and energy-driven industrialisation efforts.

    He noted that the event, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and co-hosted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), provides a trusted meeting point for both policymakers and private-sector stakeholders navigating the country’s “Decade of Gas” policy.

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    Verheijen will serve as Chief Host and deliver the keynote address. Her leadership at the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy (OSAE) has been central to driving transformational reforms across Nigeria’s oil, gas, and power sectors, in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

    The organisers highlighted that GIF 2025 will provide a high-level platform for government leaders, global investors, and indigenous energy players to explore investment, collaboration, and innovation opportunities in Nigeria’s gas sector.

    They further emphasised that the Forum offers unparalleled opportunities for cross-sector networking, strategic investment, and public-private collaboration, in line with West Africa’s ambition to leverage natural gas for sustainable development, energy security, and regional integration.

    In addition to the main conference sessions, GIF 2025 will also feature a vibrant tradeshow, allowing companies and project developers to showcase innovative solutions to local and international energy stakeholders.

  • ‘Fed Govt on right path for oil, gas investment’

    ‘Fed Govt on right path for oil, gas investment’

    • To distribute 250,000 cylinders a year over 3 years

    Greater opportunities await prospective investors in the nation’s oil and gas industry, as the Federal Government assured of robust enabling policies that would unlock the huge potentials in the sector.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and his counterpart, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who both spoke virtually at the ongoing 47th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) 2024, in Lagos, said the government is on the right path to attracting investments into the nation’s energy industry.

    Lokpobiri said optimisation of midstream and downstream sectors are not just an option but a necessity for enhancing efficiency, ensuring sustainability, and maintaining the nation’s competitive edge in the global market.

    The minister, who was represented virtually by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nicholas Ella, said: “Our nation’s petroleum industry has long been a cornerstone of our economy, contributing significantly to national revenue, job creation, and industrial growth.

    However, the evolving energy landscape presents new challenges and opportunities that require a comprehensive and integrated approach.

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    “Technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and strategic partnerships are key enablers in driving the transformation of our midstream and downstream sectors. At this juncture, it is imperative that we leverage these advancements to enhance the profitability and environmental performance of our industry. By doing so, we can ensure that our petroleum resources are utilised most efficiently and sustainably,” he said.

    Ambassador Ella was emphatic that the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for investment and innovation in the midstream and downstream sectors. He disclosed that the government is actively working on policies and initiatives to attract local and international investments, foster technological innovation and ensure regulatory compliance. According to him, one of the ministry’s key focus areas is the development of infrastructure to support the efficient transportation, processing and distribution of petroleum products. This he noted to include the expansion and modernisation of pipelines, storage facilities, and refining capacity to meet both domestic and international demand. Besides, he said the government is also prioritising the adoption of digital technologies and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and decision-making processes in the industry.

    In the same vein, Ekpo re emphasised the strategic position of the country’s petroleum sector, revealing it holds immense resources to transform the economy and generate huge employments. He said the government is determined to increase domestic utilisation of gas, hence it has started to implement its plans to distribute 250,000 cylinders a year for the next three years.

    “We are also absolutely working to reduce the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in the country by supporting the establishment of in-country composite cylinders manufacturing to create additional markets,” he said.

    Ekpo expressed confidence that the presidential executive order would streamline the regulatory process, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and provide fiscal incentives that make investments in gas projects more viable.

    “We anticipate that these majors will spur an increase in investment, leading to enhanced gas production, job creation, and economic growth,” he said.