The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Institute of Petroleum and Gas Engineers (NIPetGE) in the development of the country's oil and gas sector. NNPCL expressed its willingness to explore areas of collaboration to support ongoing industry reforms.
Courtesy Visit and Key Discussions
The position was made during a courtesy visit by the President-elect of NIPetGE, Prisca Kanebi (FNSE, FNIPetGE), and members of her delegation to the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari. Ojulari was represented by the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye.
The meeting focused on emerging issues in the energy sector, particularly the implications of global energy transition trends, technological adoption, and sustainability requirements for Nigeria's hydrocarbon industry.
Professional Contributions and Proposals
During the engagement, NNPCL noted the contributions of professional engineering bodies in supporting policy discussions, technical capacity development, and innovation within the sector. Kanebi, in her remarks, referenced outcomes from the institute's recent conference and commended ongoing Federal Government initiatives on decarbonisation. She reiterated the institute's alignment with efforts to improve environmental performance across the hydrocarbon value chain.
The delegation also presented a series of proposals intended to support sector development. These include:
- Establishing a national framework for intelligent energy systems incorporating emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things.
- Developing mechanisms for emissions trading.
- Introducing fiscal incentives to support local participation in the oil and gas value chain.
Other proposals included expanding the scope of Nigeria's Energy Transition Plan to include upstream emissions-reduction targets, encouraging public-private participation in emissions-management infrastructure, and strengthening investment in hybrid energy systems alongside continued hydrocarbon development.
Academic and Industry Linkages
Both parties also highlighted the need to improve linkages between academic institutions and industry practice to enhance skills development and align professional training with global standards.
Legislative Progress and Future Collaboration
The institute also provided updates on its ongoing legislative process seeking formal charter status, noting that its enabling bill has progressed through the National Assembly. At the end of the engagement, NNPCL indicated readiness to consider collaborative engagements with relevant professional bodies in areas aligned with industry priorities. Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening technical capacity and innovation in the sector.
