By our Reporter
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, of Ondo State has called for increased investment in oil and gas exploration and production, assuring investors of a secure and business-friendly environment.
Aiyedatiwa, who disclosed that Ondo ranks fifth among Nigeria’s oil-producing states, made the call on Monday at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), held at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attracting strategic investments, strengthening institutional collaboration and building mutually beneficial partnerships with reputable operators in the petroleum industry.
He described the sector as critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development, noting that increased production, energy security and industrial competitiveness required renewed commitment to exploration, improved geological intelligence and technological innovation.
“Ondo State is one of the safest states in Nigeria, one of the most secure states in Nigeria for investment,” he declared, urging investors to prioritise responsible upstream operations that would translate into employment, economic opportunities and improved living standards.
According to him, the benefits of natural resources must go beyond production figures, export earnings and government revenue to deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“The ultimate justification for resource exploitation lies in its capacity to transform lives, empower communities and create enduring shared prosperity,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration prioritised development interventions in oil-producing communities, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
He described host communities as indispensable partners in petroleum development, insisting that they deserved equitable access to opportunities and meaningful benefits from oil operations.
On indigenous capacity development, the governor urged Nigeria to move beyond being predominantly a resource-producing nation and position itself as a centre of technical expertise, scientific innovation, technological advancement and industrial value creation.
He called for stronger collaboration among universities, research institutions, professional associations and indigenous service companies to expand local participation in the energy sector and equip young Nigerian professionals with relevant skills.
The governor also said the global transition to cleaner energy must take into account the developmental needs, energy requirements and economic aspirations of emerging economies such as Nigeria.
He described the conference theme, “Unlocking More Barrels: Driving Reserves Growth Through Exploration, Local Capability and Adaptive Technology”, as timely, urging participants to develop practical recommendations and partnerships capable of stimulating investment, increasing output, improving operational efficiency and expanding opportunities for young professionals.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, called for increased investment, collaboration and sustainable oil production to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the changing global energy landscape.
Lokpobiri urged industry stakeholders to support universities, practical engineering training and manpower development, stressing that skilled professionals remained essential to sustainable exploration.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, disclosed that Nigeria’s natural gas reserves stood at 215 trillion cubic feet as of January 1, 2026.
Ekpo, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Elisha Benjamin, said the reserves offered Nigeria an opportunity to become a leading global gas supplier.
He identified investment in exploration, particularly non-associated gas, advanced seismic imaging and artificial intelligence as critical to unlocking the country’s gas potential and translating it into production, industrial development and employment.
In her lecture, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy (Oil and Gas), Olu A. Verheijen, called for the removal of barriers to Nigeria’s progress in the energy sector to unlock greater opportunities for the country.
Earlier, NAPE President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, urged increased investment in Nigerian professionals and indigenous companies to strengthen the country’s capacity to tackle complex oil exploration challenges.
Ajayi, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of West African Exploration and Production Company, said discovering new oil reserves required geological expertise, investment, technology and human capacity development.
She advocated a shift in local content implementation from mere participation to building the capacity of Nigerian professionals and companies to handle complex technical, operational and commercial responsibilities.
“If we are to unlock Nigeria’s next generation of barrels, we must also unlock the potential of our people,” she said.
Also, the Country Manager of LMK-Halliburton Nigeria and Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Anthony Ofoma, urged oil and gas professionals to embrace technological innovation, continuous learning and collaboration to unlock greater value from exploration.
