Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called for increased collaboration among African nations to tackle the continent’s energy deficiencies, urging them to unite around shared goals of innovation, gas development, and sustainable energy.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Exhibition Pavilion at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston, Texas, Lokpobiri said, “Africa can effectively address her energy deficiencies by working in unison. The future of our energy sector depends on regional cooperation and strategic partnerships.”
The Minister praised the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, for spearheading Nigeria’s consistent participation at the global energy event and emphasized that such visibility is crucial for attracting foreign investment into the country’s oil and gas sector.
“I commend PETAN for their consistent efforts in ensuring Nigeria’s presence and visibility at OTC. Their work is vital as we collectively strive to attract investors into our energy sector,” he said.
Themed “Africa’s Energy Renaissance: Leveraging Innovation and Natural Gas for Sustainable Development,” the pavilion serves as a platform for Nigeria and other African nations to showcase investment opportunities in the energy sector.
Challenging other Nigerian firms and African countries to join future OTC events, Lokpobiri said, “I urge Nigerian companies and our African counterparts to align with PETAN’s initiative by participating in future editions of the OTC. This collective support will strengthen Africa’s platform for sustainable energy growth.”
The Minister also extended his gratitude to other member nations of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization, APPO, especially Ghana, for their participation at the pavilion.
“With the vision and leadership of APPO, we are certainly on track to addressing Africa’s energy challenges in a collaborative and impactful manner,” he concluded.
The OTC, one of the world’s largest oil and gas conferences, continues to attract global energy leaders and technology innovators, with African representation gaining prominence as the continent positions itself for an energy transition driven by natural gas and innovation.
