Committee Inaugurated to Reposition the Sector
A renewed effort has been launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria to reinforce the growth and sustainability of the nation’s oil and gas industry. A Committee has been inaugurated to develop a new Strategic Plan aimed at repositioning the sector in alignment with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021–2025, and the Nigeria Agenda 2050. The initiative is being implemented to ensure that Nigeria’s energy sector is effectively aligned with the nation’s long-term economic and development objectives.
Objective Outlined by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources
It was stated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, that the establishment of the Committee forms part of ongoing measures to strengthen institutional coordination, enhance accountability, and deliver measurable results across the entire oil and gas value chain.
Composition of the Strategic Planning Committee
The Committee is being chaired by Usman Abdulkadir, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry. Other members appointed include Tende D. A., Engr. Oladipo Agboola, Dahiru Abdullahi, Oge Osuji, Ladi Orokpo, Ikpeme Peter, Dr. Uranta Kingsley, Ogidikpe Ayauge, Ajogi B. Omasa, Luka Timothy Agyo, and Ali Lenkat Amos.
Need for a Consolidated Strategic Framework Identified
It was explained by Dr. Obi that upon his assumption of office, the absence of a unified and forward-looking strategic plan for the petroleum sector had been observed. Such a framework, he noted, is essential for articulating the Ministry’s priorities, defining performance benchmarks, and establishing accountability mechanisms. The new initiative is therefore being developed to fill this gap and to align with the Federal Government’s broader economic recovery and diversification agenda.
Current Industry Performance and Challenges Highlighted
It was further observed that while the oil and gas sector contributes approximately 6.4 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for over 85 percent of export earnings and 50 percent of fiscal revenues, the industry continues to face persistent challenges. These challenges include infrastructure deterioration, declining crude oil production, and the ongoing global transition toward cleaner energy sources. Nigeria’s current production, estimated at 1.45 million barrels per day, remains below the OPEC quota of 1.8 million barrels per day.
Purpose and Scope of the Strategic Plan
It was emphasized by Dr. Obi that the new Strategic Plan is being designed to serve as an operational blueprint to reposition the Ministry and its agencies for sustainable growth, improved performance, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration. Key institutions expected to play major roles include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI).
Alignment with National and Presidential Agendas
The Plan is being structured to integrate critical reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and to define measurable performance indicators in key areas such as gas monetization, domestic refining, energy transition, and fiscal optimization. It is also being aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification, job creation, and universal energy access across the country.
Focus Areas and Expected Outcomes
Focus is being placed on stabilizing upstream production, expanding midstream infrastructure, promoting transparency within the downstream market, and deepening local content development and skills acquisition. The adoption of digital governance systems, supported by data analytics and real-time performance monitoring, is also being planned to enhance operational efficiency and transparency within the Ministry.
Expected Deliverables of the Committee
It has been disclosed that the Committee is mandated to produce a Comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, a Petroleum Sector Road Map, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. These documents are to serve as guiding instruments for policy implementation, budget planning, and stakeholder engagement across the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and its affiliated agencies.
Call for Dedication and National Service
Committee members have been urged by Dr. Obi to demonstrate patriotism, diligence, and innovation in executing their assignment. The initiative was described as a legacy project that is expected to strengthen policy implementation and reposition Nigeria as a competitive and resilient player in the global energy sector.
“The plan we envision must reflect our national realities, leverage available opportunities, and firmly position Nigeria as a competitive force within the evolving global energy landscape,”
Dr. Obi remarked.
Reference: OrientalNews