NOG ENERGY WEEK 2026: Sen. Lokpobiri Reaffirms Nigeria’s Commitment To Attracting Sustainable Investment
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as Africa’s preferred destination for energy investment, calling on global investors to take advantage of the country’s ongoing reforms and expanding opportunities across the petroleum value chain.
Delivering his Ministerial Address at the 25th Edition of NOG Energy Week, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance in the evolving global energy landscape, noting that the country’s location on the Gulf of Guinea and its abundant hydrocarbon resources make it a critical partner in strengthening global energy security. He stressed that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implemented far-reaching reforms to improve regulatory certainty, enhance fiscal competitiveness, and create a more predictable investment environment.
“Our message is clear: Nigeria is open for business,” the Minister declared. “We are not simply looking for investors. We are looking for long-term partners who see Nigeria as a strategic base for serving Africa and global energy markets.”
A release by Nneamaka Okafor, Media and Communications aide to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), says, Sen. Lokpobiri further emphasised that the opportunities available in Nigeria extend across upstream production, deepwater development, refining, petrochemicals, pipelines, infrastructure, energy services, and energy technology. According to him, “Nigeria’s energy future has room for every category of participant, small operators, mid-sized companies, and global majors alike.”
Highlighting the impact of recent reforms, the Minister explained that accelerated implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, fiscal competitiveness measures, successful divestment transactions, and active licensing rounds have significantly strengthened investor confidence. He added that these reforms are designed to provide long-term stability and unlock greater investment across the sector.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting investors, Sen. Lokpobiri stated: “We are not asking to be considered alongside other basins competing for the same pool of capital. We are saying that Nigeria is positioned as the swing supplier that gives investors the optionality those other basins cannot.” He further assured prospective investors that “if you deploy capital into frontier exploration and/or infrastructural development, we will match it with institutional support through to production.”
The Minister expressed confidence that Nigeria is entering a new era of sustained energy growth, driven by strategic reforms, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to unlocking the country’s vast petroleum potential for national prosperity and global energy security.