By Anscella Obike
The 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST 2025), held in Abuja, has once again k the growing consensus that governance, ethics, and innovation must drive Africa’s energy transformation.
Co-hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Petroleum Training Ik stitute (PTI), Warri, the conference, themed “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment & Governance”, brought together leading policymakers, industry players, academics, and researchers to discuss the intersection of ethics, innovation, and sustainable growth in the continent’s hydrocarbon landscape.
Held at the PTDF Towers in Abuja, the event featured robust discussions and exhibition showcases that emphasised the importance of transparency, research-driven innovation, and strategic collaboration for building a smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy future.
Delivering a keynote address on “Ethical Leadership and Transparency in the Hydrocarbon Sector: A Governance Imperative”, Professor Wumi Iledare, Principal Facilitator of the FUPRE Energy Business School, Effurun, made a compelling case for ethical leadership and transparency as the foundation of effective petroleum governance in Nigeria.
“This conversation is not about morality in theory; it is about survival in practice,” Prof. Iledare said.
“The hydrocarbon sector mirrors the integrity of national governance. Where ethics thrive, prosperity follows; where transparency fails, corruption multiplies.”
He defined ethical leadership as doing what is right even when it is inconvenient, stressing that the character of leadership defines the credibility of institutions. “In petroleum governance, ethics must be modelled, not mandated; cultivated by example, not coerced by law. When leaders act with integrity, institutions become credible; when they compromise, systems decay,” he asserted.
Transparency as the Oxygen of Accountability
Prof. Iledare described transparency as “the oxygen of accountability”, explaining that it transforms suspicion into trust and secrecy into shared responsibility. Commending initiatives such as NEITI and the EITI, he said Nigeria must move beyond mere compliance checklists to embrace a true accountability mindset.
“When citizens are informed, they cease to be spectators; they become stakeholders in governance,” he added.
Policy Defiance and Institutional Weakness
Speaking on institutional governance, Prof. Iledare emphasised that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 was designed to institutionalise ethics and transparency by clearly separating policy, regulatory, and commercial functions. However, he cautioned that legislation cannot substitute for conscience.
“Our challenge today is not policy deficiency but policy defiance when personal interest overshadows public purpose,” he warned.
He urged Nigeria’s petroleum sector to strengthen corporate boards and regulatory institutions, reward integrity, and sanction impunity through ethical performance audits and targeted education.
“Transparency must depend on systems, not sentiments, making it easier to do right than to do wrong,” he stated.
Energy Transition and Governance Credibility
As the global energy transition accelerates, Prof. Iledare stressed that Nigeria’s competitiveness will depend less on the abundance of hydrocarbon resources and more on the credibility of its governance architecture.
“Only when integrity is institutionalised, transparency habitual, and accountability non-negotiable can Nigeria truly move from resource wealth to shared prosperity and from rhetoric to results,” he concluded.
PTDF Reaffirms Commitment to Research and Innovation
In his address, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Ahmed Galadima Aminu, represented by Mr Olayinka Agboola, General Manager of the Research & Innovation Department, reaffirmed the Fund’s dedication to advancing research, innovation, and sustainable energy growth.
He noted that partnerships such as the PTDF’s collaboration with the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) continue to drive excellence in hydrocarbon research and capacity development. “Our goal is to leverage research and innovation to position Nigeria’s hydrocarbon sector for global competitiveness and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Government Calls for Stronger Collaboration
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi, in his goodwill message, called on stakeholders to sustain collaboration among government, academia, and industry players. According to him, such synergy is essential to keeping Nigeria’s hydrocarbon sector competitive, future-ready, and responsive to national development goals.
Innovation Showcase and Industry Commitment
On the sidelines of the conference, participants explored an exhibition that showcased cutting-edge technologies, digital tools, and research contributions from key players in academia and industry.
The exhibition highlighted innovations in upstream efficiency, cleaner energy processes, and data- driven regulatory oversight.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment among stakeholders to deepen collaboration, uphold ethical governance, and champion a sustainable energy future for Africa.
Hosted by the PTDF and organised by PTI, ICHST 2025 reaffirmed its position as a strategic platform for advancing thought leadership, research, and governance reform in Nigeria’s energy industry.
