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 Modupe Gbadeyanka
The presidency has reacted to speculations that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has been removed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
It was alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila has been replaced with the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Mr Muri-Okunola went to Abuja to take up this role after leaving as the Head of Service of the Lagos State Civil Service.
Reacting to the reports on social media on the purported removal of Mr Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the presidency said no such change has been made.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, members of the public were advised to disregard the report as “there is absolutely no truth to this story.”
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The new chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assumed office with a clear message to advance the country’s upstream oil and gas sector in line with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
According to a statement signed by Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, the Head of Media & Strategic Communications at the upstream regulator, the NUPRC boss made this assertation during her first town hall meeting with management and staff on Tuesday December 23, 2025.
She further disclosed plans to make the commission a business enabler and re-ignite investments in the upstream sector.
Recall that President Tinubu nominated Mrs Eyesan to take over the NUPRC after the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Mr Gbenga Komolafe as well as his counterpart in the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.
In her new capacity, Mrs Eyesan also set a firm production ambition of growing Nigeria’s output and increasing gas production.
“The goal is that we must enable the industry, we are regulators. We must enable the industry from our interactions with the stakeholders, from our interactions with everybody.
“My main objective is to ensure that we make a difference. I believe the NUPRC is at the Center of the industry,” she said.
The commission boss who has served for over three decades in the oil and gas sector, promised to entrench digitisation, transparency and efficiency in operations.
The NUPRC head said with the support of staff and management, the NUPRC will become the gold-standard regulator in Africa. She also promised capacity development, stronger technical depth and sustained engagement with stakeholders, unions and professional teams.
On leadership style, Mrs Eyesan promised an open-door policy and frequent staff engagement, while also soliciting for support and cooperation as the industry embarks on the next phase of transformation.
“If we work together we can unleash opportunities, I don’t see impediments only opportunities,” she added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance, peace, and unity, urging citizens of all faiths to reject violence and intolerance amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
In his 2025 Christmas goodwill message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasised that no Nigerian should suffer discrimination or violence because of their religious beliefs, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of worship and national cohesion.
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence,” Mr Tinubu said, noting that all Nigerians have the constitutional right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.
The President acknowledged growing concerns around religious intolerance and insecurity, revealing that he had engaged extensively throughout the year with leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths.
In the last few months, the country faced a spate of attacks including kidnapping of school children and armed terror, involving the death of a high ranking army personnel.
He also said the government would continue to build on these engagements to strengthen collaboration with religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence.
President Tinubu described Christmas as a period for reflection on the message of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace, urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from values of love, compassion, and goodwill that cut across all major religions.
He commended Christians in Nigeria for their contributions to national development, particularly their role in caring for the vulnerable and promoting harmony within communities.
“The love for God and love for humanity is at the heart of all the great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people,” he said.
Reiterating his administration’s stance on security, the President said the government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s unity and stability has remained unwavering since he assumed office in 2023. He stressed that the state would not tolerate violence targeted at any group on the basis of ethnicity or belief.
President Tinubu also appealed to Nigerians travelling during the festive season to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys and returns.
Expressing optimism about the country’s future, the President said that with faith in God and collective resolve, Nigeria would overcome its challenges and build a nation that future generations would be proud of.
He concluded by wishing Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and Nigerians a happy New Year in advance.
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