By Gideon Osaka
The oil and gas industry yet again witnessed a significant milestone in the efforts to position the industry in Nigeria as a leader in the African oil and gas sector while promoting local participation, fostering sustainable growth, and creating substantial investment opportunities. The Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) 2025, which was held from May 21–22 at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, provided the platform for indigenous oil and gas firms to showcase their capabilities, with a focus on leveraging local talents and resources.
This year’s fair, organized by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Jake Riley Limited, brought together over 100 exhibitors, including indigenous and international oil and gas companies, as well as service providers, investors, government representatives, and academia. With a primary focus on promoting indigenous capacity in the oil and gas industry, NOGOF 2025 showcased how Nigeria’s oil sector is evolving to align with the global energy transition while boosting its local content agenda.
Valuechain in this feature, delves into the highlights of the event, the key themes that shaped discussions, and the expected results that will likely influence the future of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
The Strategic Vision of NOGOF 2025
The aim of NOGOF 2025 was to align local capacity development with global energy demands, diversifying the economic benefits of the sector, and minimizing capital flight. This vision was embodied in the event’s theme, “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Oil and Gas Industry through Indigenous Capacity Development.”
Speaking on the impact of NOGOF, the Minister of State, Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in his address said NOGOF was not just a fair but a national platform that fosters catalytic investments adding that the opportunities showcased during the event were not theoretical wish lists but real, vetted, and ready for implementation.
“They represent multi-billion-dollar opportunities across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. They cut across oil processing, pipeline construction, marginal field development, refining, and logistics. And embedded in every project is a local content dimension—a promise to create jobs, build skills, and retain value within our borders,” he said.
In his opening address, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, highlighted the significance of NOGOF 2025, saying it coincided with 15 years of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010.
The 2025 edition had several key objectives among which are promoting local content and fostering Investments. As part of Nigeria’s commitment to the global push for environmental sustainability, the event encouraged the adoption of cleaner technologies and solutions. NOGOF 2025 hosted representatives from several African countries, including Ghana, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, to explore cross-border opportunities in the oil and gas value chain.
Key Highlights
One of the defining features of NOGOF 2025 was the presentation of a robust portfolio of oil and gas projects valued at over $50 billion. These opportunities spanned upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, from oil exploration and production to infrastructure development and energy transition solutions. Exhibitors were given the opportunity to showcase projects aimed at improving Nigeria’s energy supply, reducing carbon emissions, and optimizing existing operations.
For instance, the fair unveiled major infrastructure projects in the pipeline for the construction of refineries, oil export terminals, and gas processing plants. Additionally, a range of investment opportunities were discussed for offshore and onshore exploration, which are expected to boost Nigeria’s production capacity and expand the sector’s reach.
Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, the indigenous consortium which recently acquired assets hitherto held by Shell, announced at the event that it was injecting $15 billion into its oil fields located onshore and shallow waters in the Niger Delta region in the next five years. The $15 billion, according to Tony Attah, the Managing Director of Renaissance Africa, would be spent on 32 projects in the development of domestic gas, export gas and more crude oil production to balance the predominantly gas portfolio template hitherto operated by Shell.
“We are focusing on four project areas to increase oil production and there are upcoming activities in drilling, rigs, pipelines and fabrication businesses. We are also looking at 22 projects to increase export in gas production,” Atta, who was represented by Mr. Greg Akhibi, General Manager, Supply Chain at Renaissance Africa disclosed at the event.
Local content development remained at the heart of the discussions throughout the event. It was revealed that local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has reached 56%, a significant leap from less than 5% in the early 2000s. The NCDMB’s target is to increase local content to 70% by 2027, a goal that is pivotal to reducing dependency on foreign firms and enhancing economic growth through job creation and technology transfer.
NOGOF 2025 featured indigenous firms that have already made strides in this regard, from fabricators to engineers, logistics providers, and manufacturers. For example, companies such as Dorman Long Engineering and Oando Plc demonstrated their achievements in the Nigerian oil and gas market, offering solutions that have been tailored to local needs. The fair provided the opportunity for smaller firms to network with larger corporations, opening doors for collaboration and business partnerships.
Another major highlight of NOGOF 2025 was the participation of representatives from other African countries, signalling a broader regional engagement in the African oil and gas landscape. Ghana, Uganda, and Sierra Leone were among the nations that showcased their respective oil and gas industries, fostering a spirit of cooperation and knowledge sharing.
The participation of these nations not only opened up opportunities for Nigerian firms to expand beyond their borders but also encouraged foreign investors to consider the West African region as a strategic location for energy investments. This regional collaboration is poised to strengthen Africa’s position in the global energy market.
The fair also highlighted the growing importance of digital transformation in the oil and gas industry. Several technology providers presented innovations designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve safety. Digital technologies such as automated drilling systems, remote monitoring tools, and blockchain for supply chain management were presented as key solutions for enhancing the sector’s performance.
The environmental sustainability agenda was also a focal point. Several companies, in line with global decarbonization efforts, showcased cleaner technologies for oil and gas production, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. This move aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to meet the carbon-neutral goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Expected results, long-term impact of NOGOF 2025
The NOGOF 2025 event is expected to have several lasting impacts on Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, both in terms of investment inflow and local capacity development.
One of the anticipated results is the increase in investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The $50 billion worth of projects displayed at NOGOF 2025 signals a significant opportunity for investment in the sector. These projects are expected to attract both local and international investors, contributing to the expansion of the industry’s infrastructure and production capabilities.
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest oil producer, is poised to benefit from these investments, particularly in the upstream and downstream sectors, where the country continues to face infrastructural deficits. Additionally, with rising global interest in African energy markets, the fair’s success in fostering business partnerships will likely place Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s oil and gas industry.
Another anticipated result is that the promotion of local content is likely to yield substantial job opportunities for Nigerians in the oil and gas sector. As indigenous companies take on larger roles in upstream exploration, infrastructure development, and downstream activities, there will be an increase in demand for skilled workers across various sectors, from engineering and logistics to project management and IT. NOGOF 2025 is expected to facilitate the transfer of skills and technologies between foreign and local companies. This knowledge exchange will improve local expertise, empower Nigerian businesses, and strengthen their global competitiveness.
By showcasing alternative energy technologies and promoting cleaner oil and gas solutions, NOGOF 2025 is expected to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s energy transition. As the world moves toward more sustainable energy systems, the fair has provided Nigerian firms with the tools and partnerships needed to adapt and diversify their business models.
This shift towards a greener oil and gas industry not only helps Nigeria meet global sustainability goals but also positions it as a leader in the evolving energy market. In the long term, this will attract new investments from firms that are increasingly focusing on sustainability and green energy.
Again, the participation of countries like Ghana, Uganda, and Sierra Leone highlights the potential for greater regional cooperation. NOGOF 2025 is expected to lead to more joint ventures and cross-border investments in the energy sector. This regional integration will strengthen Africa’s energy independence, reduce reliance on external energy imports, and enhance the continent’s capacity to meet its growing energy needs.
A new era for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry
The NOGOF 2025 event has undoubtedly set a new trajectory for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. With a firm focus on local content development, substantial investment opportunities, and sustainability, the fair is a critical player in the global energy landscape. As indigenous companies continue to grow and international investors recognize the wealth of opportunities, Nigeria is poised to transform its oil and gas sector into a more resilient, sustainable, and self-reliant industry.
In the coming years, the results of NOGOF 2025 will likely be evident through increased local participation, a significant rise in investments, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies that will enable Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to thrive amidst global energy shifts. The success of this year’s fair has paved the way for a brighter future in which Nigeria’s oil and gas industry can not only meet domestic demands but also become a key contributor to Africa’s energy security and sustainability.