By William Emmanuel Ukpoju
In a strategic push toward a sustainable energy future, Nigeria’s capital played host to the 2025 edition of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF), convened by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council. Themed “Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence,” the high-profile event gathered industry giants, top government officials, and key stakeholders to chart a transformative course for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Held on April 10 at the PTDF Towers in Abuja, OLEF 2025 was more than just an annual gathering—it was a rallying cry for reimagining the country’s energy dynamics through innovation, regulatory reform, and supply chain re-engineering.
A Convergence of Policy and Innovation
Engr. Amina Danmadami, Chair of the SPE Nigeria Council, opened the forum with a powerful call to action, urging stakeholders to embrace bold strategies for Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape. “This is our moment to lead, not just adapt,” she emphasized, noting the strategic importance of combining policy, technology, and operational excellence to drive sector resilience.
The Honourable Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (Oil) and Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo (Gas), served as Special Guests of Honour, lending governmental support to the initiative.
NNPC Pushes Infrastructure and Digital Transformation
In one of the forum’s most anticipated updates, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, Group CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), revealed that the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project had reached 72% completion as of Q1 2025. Speaking through EVP, Upstream, Udobong Ntia, Ojulari underlined NNPC’s transition into a fully commercialized and digitally enabled enterprise, equipped to meet the demands of a low-carbon future. He spotlighted the adoption of AI-driven subsurface imaging and real-time reservoir monitoring by NEPL, NNPC’s upstream arm, as evidence of the company’s technological leap forward. “Energy sustainability is not possible without digital sustainability,” Ojulari asserted. “Our transformation hinges on intelligent automation, data governance, and cyber resilience.”
He also emphasized NNPC’s role in Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, with initiatives such as the autogas program and investments in gas infrastructure underscoring the company’s commitment to decarbonization and energy inclusion.
NUPRC and the Regulatory Renaissance
Delivering a regulatory perspective, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), noted the issuance of 24 priority regulations and the successful activation of over 10 Petroleum Prospecting Licenses (PPLs) from recent bid rounds.
Represented by Enorense Amadasu, Komolafe reinforced the Commission’s dual role as a regulator and business enabler. “Our mission is not only oversight, but to actively shape a prosperous and sustainable energy future,” he said.
Plans
Spotlight on Financing and Local Participation
Industry elder statesman and former Petroleum Minister, Don Etiebet, raised critical concerns about financing and succession planning among indigenous operators taking over from International Oil Companies (IOCs). He stressed the urgency of creating viable financing models and cultivating merit-based human capital development to ensure long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
Technology and Policy: Twin Engines of Progress
Danmadami, in her closing remarks, urged stakeholders to embrace a pragmatic yet ambitious vision for Nigeria’s energy future. “We are not displacing oil and gas, but optimizing them with cleaner, smarter tools,” she explained. “Through data, AI, and resilient infrastructure, we can cut emissions, increase efficiency, and drive inclusive growth.”
Echoing her sentiments, Ahmed Aminu, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), emphasized the critical nexus between policy, technology, and supply chain resilience. Represented by GM, Projects, Ifeoma Nwokike, Aminu reaffirmed PTDF’s commitment to building local capacity to sustain the sector’s transition.
Charting a New Energy Narrative
Beyond speeches and status updates, OLEF 2025 emerged as a strategic compass for navigating the energy transition in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Key objectives from the event included:
• Reforming the energy policy landscape to incentivize renewables and efficiency.
• Embedding circular economy principles in the energy supply chain.
• Diversifying energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• Establishing a data-driven, innovation-led approach to asset management.
As Nigeria contends with global energy pressures and domestic challenges, this year’s OLEF delivered a clear message: the future of energy in Nigeria lies not just in hydrocarbons or renewables, but in how policy, people, and technology work in harmony to build a cleaner, more resilient system.
The Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum was instituted by SPE Nigeria to commemorate Nigeria’s first commercial oil discovery in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. Since its inception in 1991, OLEF has served as a premier platform for thought leadership and policy engagement in the oil and gas sector.