Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that the country’s push to expand refining capacity must be matched with increased crude oil production to deliver true economic transformation and energy security.
Speaking during a Luncheon and Panel Session at the just concluded 2025 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, Lokpobiri emphasized that refining without sufficient production will not yield the desired results for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Minister stressed that this dual approach, boosting production while strengthening local refining, will drive job creation, enhance value retention, and improve overall economic performance.
According to him, refining is critical, but not a standalone solution.
“To truly reap the benefits of our abundant oil and gas resources, we must continue to build on our refining capacity by supporting local refineries, and enable upstream companies to expand production.
“It is only by ramping up production that we can achieve the transformative growth our sector requires. Increased production is the bedrock upon which effective refining, sustainable exports, and domestic energy security are built,” he told a global audience of energy stakeholders.
Lokpobiri also highlighted policy reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which have been instrumental in revitalizing investor confidence.
“The Federal Government has introduced supportive policies, tax incentives, and executive orders that have created a more conducive environment for investment. I encourage all stakeholders to seize this moment and play a defining role in the ongoing transformation of our oil and gas industry.”
The panel session, themed “Harnessing Nigeria’s Energy Potential for Domestic Utilization and Global Export Market,” drew strong interest from industry leaders and investors eager to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
