FG Reaffirms Oil, Gas Drive for Industrial Growth as NIES 2026 Ends in Abuja

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s vast oil and gas resources to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen energy security and drive sustainable economic growth, as the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2026) concluded on Thursday, February 5, in Abuja.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described the 2026 edition of the summit as the most impactful since its inception, citing unprecedented participation by top policymakers, global investors and industry leaders.

“This is the third edition I have been privileged to attend as Minister, and each year it keeps getting better,” Lokpobiri said, noting that the quality of engagement at NIES 2026 surpassed what is obtainable at similar global energy conferences.

He emphasised that beyond planning and logistics, the true success of such a summit lies in the calibre of participants, stressing that NIES 2026 recorded one of the highest concentrations of quality attendance in the global energy sector.

The Minister challenged industry stakeholders to invest in domestic infrastructure that would position Nigeria as a global hub for energy dialogue. He disclosed that land has already been secured for a proposed world-class global energy events centre, adding that government would soon engage industry players on its implementation.

According to him, the facility would be owned and built by industry stakeholders and managed by world-class professionals to ensure sustainability in line with global standards. He expressed optimism that construction would commence within his tenure.

Earlier, at the National Gas Day session, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said Nigeria stands at a defining moment in the global energy landscape, with proven gas reserves of about 210.54 trillion cubic feet—the largest in Africa and ninth globally.

Ekpo noted that the true value of Nigeria’s gas wealth must be measured by its impact on citizens, including electricity delivered, jobs created, foreign exchange earned and peace enhanced through access to clean and reliable energy. He described natural gas as the country’s critical transition fuel, supporting industrialisation, energy poverty reduction and climate commitments under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Decade of Gas Initiative.

He highlighted milestones achieved under the current administration, including the domestication of locally produced LPG to stabilise supply and pricing, the resolution of long-standing gas-to-power debts, and Nigeria’s growing global influence following the election of a Nigerian as Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Ekpo also pointed to the nationwide rollout of the Free LPG Cylinder Distribution Programme across the six geopolitical zones, aimed at promoting clean cooking, improving public health and reducing deforestation. He added that gas currently accounts for over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s on-grid electricity generation, with government intensifying efforts to strengthen the gas-to-power value chain through infrastructure expansion, long-term supply agreements and the recently approved National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre.

Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Patience N. Oyekunle, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary leadership and sustained support for energy sector reforms, as well as Vice President Kashim Shettima for his presence at the opening ceremony.

She also praised the participation of African leaders, including the Presidents of The Gambia and Equatorial Guinea, noting that their presence underscored the spirit of African solidarity and regional cooperation promoted by NIES.

According to her, the four-day summit once again proved to be a premier platform for cross-sector engagement, bringing together policymakers, investors, industry leaders, innovators and development partners to advance energy security, inclusive access and cleaner energy systems.