HBSAN advocates integrated energy system for Nigeria’s economic transformation
By Ifeanyichukwu Zita Precious
The Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (HBSAN) has advocated the integration of Nigeria’s oil, gas, and power sectors as a strategy for driving economic growth, increasing domestic value creation, and achieving national transformation.
The association made this known at a press conference in Lagos ahead of its Oil & Gas Conference scheduled for October 9, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, themed “One Energy System: Integrating Oil, Gas and Power for National Transformation,” is expected to bring together government officials, industry leaders, regulators, financial institutions, investors, and other stakeholders in the energy sector.
HBSAN said the conference would focus on moving Nigeria away from treating oil, gas, and power as isolated sectors and toward an interconnected energy system capable of maximizing the country’s abundant energy resources.
According to the association, greater integration across the sectors would help unlock sustainable economic growth while improving efficiency, attracting investment, and increasing the value retained within the Nigerian economy.
A major concern highlighted by HBSAN is the country’s historical dependence on exporting raw energy resources while relying on external value addition.
The association emphasized the importance of local refining, power generation, and industrial utilization of energy resources to strengthen domestic value retention.
The conference will also examine the policy, regulatory, operational, infrastructure, and financing challenges affecting Nigeria’s energy sector.
The event will begin with opening remarks by the HBSAN president, followed by a keynote address by Adeleye Falade, Managing director of NLNG, titled “From Resource to Prosperity: Unlocking National Growth Through Integrated Energy Systems – Oil, Gas and Power: The African Perspective.”
The first session will focus on governance, policy, and regulatory convergence for integrated energy transformation, examining how policy and regulatory frameworks can be aligned to encourage capital investment and support an integrated energy system.
The second session, “Bridging Infrastructure Gaps by Mobilizing Capital and Making Oil, Gas and Power Projects Bankable,” will focus on infrastructure deficits and the financing structures and partnerships required to make major energy projects commercially viable.
Industry players will also participate in a fireside chat on the challenges and practical solutions to achieving efficiency in the integration of Nigeria’s power, oil, and gas sectors.
Another session will feature Austin Avuru, Chairman of AA Holdings, who will share his personal journey from Seplat to building homegrown energy companies.
HBSAN said the conference is expected to produce a comprehensive policy white paper containing strategic recommendations for government implementation.
The association said the overall objective is to develop practical solutions for improving governance, closing infrastructure gaps, mobilizing capital, enhancing efficiency, and strengthening indigenous energy companies.
The conference is therefore positioned as a platform for policymakers, regulators, financiers, and industry practitioners to develop a coordinated approach to Nigeria’s energy resources and explore how the sector can contribute more significantly to long-term economic prosperity and national development.