The Federal Government has said it is taking steps to build a resilient local energy supply chain to cushion against global disruptions that have increasingly threatened the stability of cross-border energy operations.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in Lagos, said Nigeria could no longer afford to rely solely on international supply chains amid rising uncertainties globally.
“On the matter of supply chain, we recognise the multifaceted challenges – trade wars, sanctions, currency instability, regional conflicts, and security concerns. These disruptions have affected the flow of goods and services across borders,” he said.
“While we continue to engage internationally, we must also strengthen local capacity and resilience to mitigate future shocks,” he added.
Lokpobiri said these efforts are part of the government’s strategy to fortify the country’s energy ecosystem while expanding opportunities for local players.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, has pursued deliberate and investment-friendly policies aimed at positioning Nigeria as the leading destination of energy investors.
“The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act has brought about liberalisation of the national sector, improved wealth and mobility, and boosted investor confidence. Through that solid base, executive orders, and other strategic incentives, we are making Nigeria increasingly attractive to both local and international partners,” he said.
He mentioned that this renewed investor confidence is evident in “the growing number of engagements we are having with foreign governments and private sector leaders exploring mutually beneficial collaborations.”
Lokpobiri announced the establishment of a new postgraduate energy university in Kaduna, through strategic partnerships with three top British universities, aimed to deepen Nigeria’s human capital and technical base in energy.
“These efforts complement the ongoing participation of international professionals who have long contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy development. To further deepen our capacity, we have established a postgraduate energy university in Kaduna.
“In line with our transnational education policy, we are partnering with three of the United Kingdom’s top universities to expand our field of specialised energy professionals, developing homegrown expertise in global-based practices,” the oil minister said.
“I urge everyone here, industrial experts, policymakers, investors, and scholars, to actively engage, share insights, and chart solutions as we work toward a truly sustainable energy future.
“Let us leverage technology for innovation and profitability, strengthen our supply chains, develop our local and international human capital, and continue to foster a stable, environment-friendly, investment-friendly environment that this administration is committed to sustaining,” he said.
