Minister of state, petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on Wednesday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State ex-rayed the state of affairs in the country’s oil and gas sector vis-à-vis the local content paradigm and challenged stakeholders not to let the country and Africa down.
He spoke at the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunities Fair, NOGOF 2025, even as he urged Nigerian youths to be at their best in protecting the nation’s future.
Lokpobiri said there was the need for all industry players to come together and think of how provide window of opportunities for the teeming youth population, describing the youths as drivers of the country.
He said the days had gone when youths were seen as leaders of tomorrow. According to him, the much talked about future was now and that the youths should strive to take advantage of the opportunities created by President Bola Tinubu to help the nation grow.
Apparently referring to the perceived destructive tendencies of some youths, the minister said it was necessary for the youths to realise that their today’s actions would determine tomorrow’s greatness or otherwise.
Executive secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, in his welcome remarks, said this year’s NOGOF provided a platform to share forward-looking insights, showcase upcoming projects, and deepen collaboration across the oil and gas value chain.
“More importantly, it reminds us of the power of local capacity innovation, and inclusive partnerships in shaping the future of our industry.
“This year’s theme — “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Oil and Gas Industry through Indigenous Capacity Development”—could not be more timely.
“It coincides with the 15th year anniversary of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.
He said it was necessary for industry players to brainstorm on the greater opportunities in the industry because “Nigeria must position herself as an attractive hydrocarbon investment destination and also as a beacon of sustainable development powered by local companies.
“Since the enactment of the NOGICD Act in 2010, we have made remarkable progress in building the capability and capacity of Nigerians and of Nigerian companies, attracting critical investments in-country, and enhancing value retention.
“In a bid to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed three Executive Orders. These Orders are designed to leverage the nation’s resources and position Nigeria as the preferred investment destination for the oil & gas sector in Africa.”
He said the NCDMB’s efforts in reinvigorating the local content drive was yielding tremendous results. “Today, we are proud to say that Nigerian content has moved from aspiration to execution.
“From well equipped, ISO certified fabrication yards in Port Harcourt, Warri, Lagos, to modular refineries in Imo and Delta States, and from pipe mills to marine vessel ownership, Nigerians are not just participating—they are delivering at the highest level.
“However, the real opportunity lies ahead. As we move towards rebalancing our economy and increasing oil and gas production, it is imperative that we deepen indigenous participation—not only in upstream services but across midstream and downstream operations.
“The sale of onshore assets by the IOCs to indigenous companies is a bold step and strategic shift towards deeper local participation and value retention.”
Bayelsa state governor, Senator Douye Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed displeasure over the Petroleum Industry Act and called for an amendment.
He lamented that whereas the Act provides funds for the communities, such funds were being used for communal fights which would eventually be settled by the state government.
He also urged the divesting oil firms to consider giving some shares to the oil producing states. Speaking in his usual proverbs, he said it was dangerous to focus on the rear mirror instead of just looking at it.
