Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria is positioning itself as West Africa’s most reliable energy supply hub, with plans to deepen regional partnerships and strengthen cross-border energy security, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has said.
Speaking while receiving Senegal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Nicolas Auguste Nyouky, and the country’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, Birame Soulèye Diop, Lokpobiri emphasized Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s energy transition through strategic collaboration.
“Our ambition of being the safest and most reliable supply hub for West Africa has continued to advance,” he said, noting that “relevant agencies were working assiduously to ensure that we maintain a sustainable corridor of supply to the rest of Africa.”
He stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing Africa’s energy challenges, stating that “strengthening regional and continental ties” is critical to unlocking sustainable solutions across the continent.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s experience and capacity place it in a strong leadership position.
“Nigeria is uniquely positioned by virtue of experience, history, and capacity to lead the African drive toward sustainable energy solutions,” he said.
Lokpobiri also highlighted the economic benefits of collaboration, noting that joint efforts would enable indigenous companies to scale globally.
“Driving energy solutions collectively as a continent empowers indigenous companies to compete with International Oil Companies and evolve into IOCs themselves,” he stated.
Despite ongoing challenges in the oil sector, he reaffirmed the government’s reform agenda aimed at boosting production and meeting both domestic and international energy demands.
“We are implementing significant reforms and transformation initiatives to upscale production and meet both domestic and international obligations,” he added, while assuring that “Nigeria remains willing to partner with Senegal and other prospective investors.”
The engagement signals growing momentum for regional energy integration as African nations seek to leverage shared resources and infrastructure to drive economic growth and energy security.
