Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: NAPE gears up for annual confab, calls for inter-sector collaboration, revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company
By Oswald
Preparatory to its 43rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), has called for enhanced collaboration between government, industry, and the academia as a means of driving innovation for sustainable resource management in petroleum exploration and production in Nigeria.
The call was made by the NAPE National President, Johnbosco Uche, in his remark during a Press Conference held recently in Lagos.
The Press Conference was organised by the Association to sensitize stakeholders and provide preliminary information concerning the event scheduled to hold from November 9 to 13, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
The National President flanked by the Association’s President-elect, Mrs. Cecilia Olajumoke and other top members of the group maintained that the current acceleration of the global energy transition has placed a dual responsibility on Nigeria: to sustain petroleum exploration and production while also preparing for a diversified, lowcarbon energy future.
He insisted that such a feat cannot be achieved without deliberate policy alignment, increased investment, and renewed exploration drive, and recommended among other things, the reigniting of mature basin exploration by reviewing Well classification for Exploration to attract increased industry
He also recommended the prioritization of exploration to ensure new oil and gas discoveries today capable of sustaining production tomorrow, optimized field development, adoption of new technologies, and addressing issues that hinder timely project delivery, all aimed at increasing the country’s oil and gas production capacity towards meeting the nation’s 2030 target of 3 million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion cubic feet per day.
Uche further advocated for acceleration of gas development as a transition fuel to support power generation, industrialization, and economic growth as well as driving new seismic data acquisition and strengthening geoscience research to unlock new discoveries and reduce exploration risks.
He emphasized: “At NAPE, we believe that energy security must remain a national priority.
“Nigeria cannot industrialize or grow sustainably without reliable and affordable energy.
Over the years, NAPE has remained the foremost professional body providing thought leadership, technical excellence, and policy advocacy for Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas industry.
“The 43rd Conference will again provide a platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing, and practical solutions to the challenges confronting our energy sector.”
Speaking on this year’s conference theme: “Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development”, Uche said it speaks directly to the heart of Nigeria’s national priorities — ensuring energy availability, stability, and affordability, while also positioning the country’s petroleum sector to thrive in a rapidly changing global energy environment.
While appreciating their partners, especially the media for their role in shaping public understanding and amplifying the national energy conversation, he enumerated some of the expected features during the conference to include opening ceremony and All Convention Luncheon, Executive, Management and Technical Sessions highlighting technological advancements and innovations.
He added: “We will also celebrate professional excellence through the Awards Ceremony at President’s Night and Awards Night.
“The 43rd edition comes at a pivotal time for Nigeria.
“As we strive to achieve economic stability and energy independence, our actions today must secure the energy of tomorrow.
“NAPE remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s petroleum industry continues to be a catalyst for development and sustainability.”
Meanwhile, in order to achieve cost optimization in the oil and gas exploration industry in Nigeria, the President-elect, Olajumoke, called for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel company to enhance local content in equipments production.
She said: “Most of the drilling materials are made of steel and come from outside the country.
“If we can revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and start producing our own steel, we can manufacture these materials locally.
“That will reduce both our operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX).”
She stressed that local steel production would have a multiplier effect on the entire petroleum value chain, reducing import dependence, saving foreign exchange, and fostering industrial growth.
