General
PETAN Urges Stronger Public-Private Supplies in African Energy Industry
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has urged stronger public–private supplier collaboration across Africa’s oil and gas industry.
The association noted that Nigeria’s NOGICD Act, implemented by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has delivered impressive results and raised in-country value retention and local manufacturing from 5 per cent in 2010 to 56 per cent in 2024, adding that other African jurisdictions should adopt this model.
According to PETAN Chairman, Mr Wole Ogunsanya, at the 4th Conference and Exhibition on Local Content in the African Oil and Gas Industry (CECLA) organised by the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) in Kintélé, Brazzaville, Congo, themed Sustaining Public/Private Suppliers Collaboration in the African Oil and Gas Industry.
The PETAN Chairman, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Mr Kevin Nwanze, underscored the importance of deepening partnerships to drive long-term growth and competitiveness across the continent.
He explained that the complexity of modern oil and gas projects has made collaboration indispensable.
“Collaboration is no longer a nice-to-have but a must-have for sustainable local content in Africa’s oil and gas industry,” he said.
He noted that the relationship between public and private suppliers must balance collaboration, competition, and regulation, stressing that regulation remains the backbone of any successful partnership.
The PETAN Chairman explained that Nigeria’s regulatory foundation, the NOGICD Act of 2010, has been central to the country’s progress in local content development, implemented effectively by NCDMB.
“The NOGICD Act remains the primary engine driving fairness, transparency, and measurable local content growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” he said.
“Nigeria’s in-country value retention has grown from five per cent in 2010 to 56 per cent in 2024, clear evidence that structured collaboration works,” he added.
Mr Ogunsanya argued that collaboration is essential because oil and gas projects require both the financial and technical power of international firms and the community knowledge and contextual expertise of local suppliers.
He warned that without collaboration, countries risk project delays, cost overruns, and minimal benefits to host communities.
“Today’s oil and gas projects are too complex for any single party; without collaboration, delays, cost overruns and poor host-country benefits are inevitable,” he said.
He, however, cautioned that several obstacles continue to hinder cross-sector collaboration in Africa, including weak policy environments, difficulty accessing finance, trust deficits, capacity gaps, and inconsistent operational standards.
“Weak policies, financing gaps, trust deficits, and capacity limitations remain the biggest obstacles to effective collaboration across Africa,” he noted.
He urged African governments to shift from merely setting local content targets to building truly enabling frameworks.
“African governments must move beyond setting targets and focus on creating enabling environments that simplify procurement and expand access to finance,” he stated.
Speaking on the need for transparent procurement systems, open publication of contract awards, and robust oversight structures, Mr Ogunsanya said: “Open procurement, contract publication, and independent oversight are non-negotiable if we want sustainable and trust-driven collaboration.”
On technology transfer, he stressed that private sector commitment is crucial for meaningful progress.
“Technology transfer can only succeed when private companies make a firm commitment to support local suppliers and the change-management process,” he added.
He cited Nigeria’s successful collaboration models, including the engineering consortium on the Egina FPSO topsides, the EnServ–Schlumberger alliance, and the Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Hub, noting that all were enabled by the NOGICD Act.
“Nigeria’s major project collaborations, from Egina FPSO engineering to the EnServ–Schlumberger alliance, were only possible because the NOGICD Act provided the regulatory backbone,” he explained.
Looking ahead, he said Africa must build long-term capabilities within local suppliers and diversify into emerging energy technologies.
“True sustainability comes from building lasting capabilities, not just transferring jobs; Africa must invest in skills, innovation, and sector diversification,” he said.
The PETAN Chairman also pointed to emerging opportunities in renewable energy integration, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and decommissioning of oil and gas assets.
“Collaboration will be critical as Africa moves into renewable integration, carbon capture, and decommissioning—skills in these areas will define the next decade,” he added.
Calling on African governments to adopt proven models,he urged policymakers to look closely at Nigeria’s experience.
“What has worked in Nigeria can work elsewhere. The NOGICD model is ripe for adaptation by other African jurisdictions seeking real local content growth,” he said.
He equally emphasized that sustainable progress is impossible without strong regulation and empowered implementing agencies.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned the former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, and his son, Mr Abudlazizz Malami, on a five-count charge of abetting terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.
They were arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In the charge, the former AGF was accused of knowingly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were brought to his office as the AGF in the last administration for prosecution.
Recall that the secret police had arrested Mr Malami, shortly after his release from Kuje prison in Abuja more than two weeks ago after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him and two others bail in the sum of N500 million in another case involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Malami and his son are also accused by the DSS of engaging in conduct in preparation to commit act of terrorism by having in their possession and without licence, a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live rounds of Cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 Cartridges.
His arrest in January followed weeks of reports of surveillance by the secret police in front of the prison facility since the time Mr Malami, his wife and son were remanded there over the money laundering charges.
As per reports, Mr Malami had gathered that he would be picked up upon regaining his temporary freedom and so decided to wait out the DSS. However, after his eventual emergence, the operatives took the ex-AGF into detention again.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has initiated an inter-agency partnership with the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) to establish the Coastal Community First Responder Programme (CCFRP).
The first responder programme is aimed at promoting safe and secure transportation across Lagos waterways.
The initiative was unveiled during a meeting between a LASWA delegation and officials of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development at the secretariat in Alausa.
Leading the LASWA team, Mr Olademeji Shittu said the programme is designed to reduce fatalities and material losses on Lagos waterways, particularly in hard-to-reach coastal communities.
According to Mr Shittu, the CCFRP will focus on empowering community volunteers through targeted capacity building for sustainable rural development, while also equipping them with relevant skills that can enhance employability within the maritime sector.
He noted that trained volunteers will serve as community-based first responders, working in close collaboration with LASWA to strengthen search and rescue operations.
Providing the rationale for the programme, Mr Shittu highlighted the recurring cases of marine incidents and fatalities on Lagos waterways, often worsened by delayed emergency response in remote coastal areas.
He explained that residents of these communities are usually the first on the scene during accidents, making it necessary to formalise their role through structured training and partnerships.
He added that the collaboration with CERUD will help create a sustainable framework that aligns community development with safety and emergency response, while fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among coastal residents.
According to a statement, the Coastal Community First Responder Programme is expected to enhance emergency preparedness on Lagos waterways, improve response times during marine incidents, and contribute to safer water transportation across the state.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned protest in the Federal Capital Territory and instructed workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to their duties with immediate effect.
The directive followed an overnight engagement involving labour leaders, the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, and members of the Senate Committee on the FCT.
The meeting, which began late on Monday, stretched into the early hours of Tuesday, culminating in an agreement that led to the unions’ decision to halt the protest action and restore normal activities across FCTA offices.
This comes after Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court issued an interim order restraining the NLC, TUC, and three others from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest.
Ruling on an ex-parte application filed by the Minister of the FCT and the FCT Administration, Justice Subilim granted an interim order restraining the 1st to 5th respondents and their privies or agents from embarking on strike pending the hearing of the motion on notice, also ordering the 5th-9th defendants who are security agencies to ensure no break down of law and order.
The ex-parte motion, which was filed by the counsel to Mr Wike and the FCTA, Ogwu Onoja, submitted that the Chairman of the FCT council had sent a message of mobilization to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.
This move, he noted, was in violation of the orders of court, adding that after the ruling of the court on January 27, the order of the court was served on the defendants, same day the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike.
The statement jointly signed by both unions directed that the striking workers should resume the strike as the unions’ counsel, Mr Femi Falana, has filed an appeal against the interlocutory ruling.
He further pointed out that With the statement, JUAC issued a circular directing all employees to continue the strike.
This position they say is aimed at causing break down of law and order in the Nations capital.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until February 10 for hearing.
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