SPE calls for collaboration, innovation to keep Nigeria competitive in energy sector
By Firdaus Jibril
Nigeria’s energy sector must embrace stronger collaboration, innovation, and investment to remain competitive in the rapidly changing global energy landscape, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council said on Monday as it declared the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026) open in Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the SPE Nigeria Council, Engr. Francis Nwaochei, stated that the global energy industry is undergoing major changes driven by the need for energy security, affordability, sustainability, digital transformation, and lower carbon emissions.
He said Nigeria must respond by strengthening partnerships, improving the investment climate, deploying technology, and developing practical solutions that will enable the country to maximize its vast energy resources.
“The conversations we will have over the next three days must move beyond identifying challenges to developing practical, implementable solutions that will position Nigeria as a globally competitive energy destination,” he said.
The conference, themed “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” brought together government officials, regulators, energy executives, investors, researchers, development partners, students, and young professionals to discuss the future of Nigeria’s energy industry.
The SPE chairman noted that the conference theme reflects the realities facing the global energy sector, where countries are under increasing pressure to provide reliable energy while reducing emissions, attracting investment, and adopting new technologies.
According to him, Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the changing landscape because of its abundant hydrocarbon resources, growing gas economy, resilient indigenous operators, skilled workforce, and improving policy environment.
He pointed to recent developments such as the 2025 licensing round, which produced 31 winning companies for 37 oil and gas blocks, the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, and efforts to restore liquidity in the power sector through a proposed ₦4 trillion government-backed bond as signs that the industry is moving in the right direction.
He added that resilience in the energy sector means adapting to change, embracing innovation, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
“For Nigeria, resilience means increasing production responsibly, commercializing gas at scale, improving the ease of doing business, strengthening regulatory coordination, deepening local content, attracting long-term capital, and ensuring that the energy industry continues to create value for the economy and society,” he said.
Describing NAICE as one of Africa’s leading technical energy conferences, the chairman said that for nearly five decades, it has served as a platform for executive dialogue, policy discussions, technology showcases, investment promotion, and professional development.
He noted that this year’s edition features technical paper presentations, executive panel discussions, workshops, innovation pitch sessions, a technology exhibition, a women’s leadership program, a career fair for young professionals, and business networking sessions.
The chairman encouraged delegates, particularly students and young professionals, to make the most of the conference by participating actively in technical sessions, seeking mentorship, and building professional relationships.
He also announced that NAICE 2027, which will mark the conference’s 50th anniversary, is scheduled to take place from August 2 to 4, 2027.
As the conference continues over the next three days, participants are expected to deliberate on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector, promoting investment, advancing technology adoption, expanding gas development, and improving collaboration across the industry