Tanya Davidson
Abuja — The Federal Government has called for intensified seismic surveys and exploration across Nigeria’s sedimentary basins beyond the Niger Delta as part of efforts to unlock additional oil and gas deposits.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the call while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, which visited him to discuss the launch and operationalisation of the NAPE Academy.
“Beyond the Niger Delta and across Nigeria’s other sedimentary basins, more seismic work and exploration are required to unlock additional oil and gas deposits, and we remain committed to this course,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister’s position places expanded exploration across Nigeria’s sedimentary basins at the centre of efforts to identify new hydrocarbon resources and support future production.
The meeting with NAPE also focused on developing the technical workforce required to support the industry’s exploration and production activities.
The NAPE Academy is designed to address skills gaps by providing practical, industry-attached training for graduates and technicians.
According to Lokpobiri, the Academy’s curriculum will strengthen local technical capacity, improve employability, promote innovation and support technology transfer.
The minister said the government remained committed to creating the conditions required to expand exploration and develop Nigeria’s oil and gas resources, while building the human capacity needed to sustain activities across the petroleum value chain.
The engagement comes as Nigeria seeks to increase upstream activity and attract fresh investment into exploration and production.
