Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the $400 million Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Andoni, Rivers State, Nigeria’s first new crude export facility in over five decades, marking a historic milestone in the country’s energy sector.
Developed by Green Energy International Limited, GEIL, the terminal boasts a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels and a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day.
It is strategically positioned to serve over 40 stranded oil fields in the Niger Delta, unlocking new opportunities for indigenous participation and boosting national crude oil output.
Delivering the President’s remarks at the commissioning in Otakikpo field, Andoni Local Government Area, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, described the project as “a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy landscape.”
“The strengthening of local capacity in our energy sector remains important to the transformation and sustainable progress we seek as a nation,” Lokpobiri said.
“This critical area has continued to receive robust attention and support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in revitalizing our energy industry through projects that align with our strategic priority of increasing crude oil production.”
According to the Minister, the Otakikpo Terminal represents a significant leap toward indigenous ownership and operational excellence in Nigeria’s upstream sector.
“As the first fully indigenous onshore crude export facility in over five decades, this terminal opens a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy landscape,” Lokpobiri stated.
“Beyond serving GEIL, it stands ready to support other companies operating in its vicinity, a true symbol of indigenous excellence and shared infrastructure.”
He explained that the new facility is designed to reduce production costs, enhance export efficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global oil market.
The Minister also emphasized that the Tinubu administration’s ongoing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, have created globally competitive fiscal terms to attract investments and drive performance among license holders.
“This development exemplifies the performance we expect from license holders, especially in light of globally competitive fiscal incentives now in place,” he said. “Nigeria is open for business, and we expect every operator to convert their licenses into production and value creation.”
Lokpobiri commended Green Energy International Limited for demonstrating innovation, resilience, and commitment to local content, adding that the success of the Otakikpo terminal highlights the potential of Nigerian operators when given the right support.
He also urged host communities, particularly the Ogoni and Andoni people, to ensure a peaceful operating environment for the project’s sustainability and the shared benefits it promises.
“I urge the host communities to recognize that the benefits of fossil resources are real, but can only be realized through responsible extraction and value creation,” Lokpobiri cautioned.
“I emphasize that, with continued peace and partnership, this terminal will catalyze economic transformation for the nation and the Ogoni people alike.”
The Otakikpo terminal is expected to boost Nigeria’s daily crude production, expand export infrastructure, and reinforce indigenous capacity in line with President Tinubu’s agenda to revitalize the energy sector and achieve national economic transformation.
With the commissioning of the facility, Nigeria has taken a bold step toward unlocking stranded onshore reserves, promoting shared infrastructure use, and advancing local participation in crude oil export, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s petroleum investment environment.
