By Olakunle Oke
Industry leaders and regulators recently convened at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual Conference, where a unified call was issued for greater regulatory clarity, enhanced operational efficiency, and the strategic deployment of technology to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for sustainable growth and renewed investment.
Regulators, International Oil Companies (IOCs), and indigenous operators shared perspectives on unlocking the next phase of investment in the upstream sector.
Mr. Victor Bandele, the Deputy Managing Director in charge of TotalEnergies’ Deepwater District, offered a forward-looking perspective, noting that Nigeria is well-positioned to leverage a century of global research and documentation.
This extensive knowledge base, he argued, can be effectively utilized for training, sophisticated data modeling, and advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in exploration and production activities within the country.
In her remarks, Olayemi Adeboyejo, Commission Secretary and Legal Adviser for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), defined regulation as “the architecture of efficiency,” emphasizing that clear, predictable laws are essential for operational excellence and building investor confidence.
She highlighted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has already transformed the landscape by introducing a performance-driven framework that leverages technology and data analytics for real-time compliance monitoring.
“We no longer regulate by knocking on doors,” she stated, “We use dashboards, technology, and extensive stakeholder consultations to ensure our guidelines are transparent and predictable.”
ExxonMobil Executive, Mr. Etabuko Abirhire, reinforced this, stressing that the industry’s future hinges on aligning government clarity with investor capital.
While acknowledging the reforms made via the PIA and the streamlined contracting processes by NNPC Ltd., he cautioned that policy consistency must be continuous at both macro and micro levels to sustain investor confidence, which is vital given the decade of deepwater investment inertia the country previously faced.
Rocco Detomo, Chief Technical Officer at DIBIJ Energy Limited, highlighted that predictive monitoring tools and AI could drastically reduce non-productive time by enabling real-time data and sensors to predict equipment failure weeks in advance, thereby avoiding costly shutdowns.
Further underscoring the collaborative effort needed, Engr. James Okereke, a General Manager at Chevron, advised that local operators must increase collaboration and investment in people and supply chains, forming essential partnerships with universities and local service providers to strengthen capacity and innovation.
Panelists collectively agreed that Nigeria’s ambitious aspiration to achieve 3 million barrels per day by 2030 remains attainable, provided that regulatory consistency, technological innovation, and continuous collaboration remain central to both policy and operations.
As one executive concluded, “Efficiency, clarity, and communication are the keys,” ensuring that government, regulators, and operators maintain alignment to allow Nigeria’s energy sector to achieve its full potential.