Nigeria’s Oil Minister, Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, has hailed the country’s local content capacity as indigenous oil firms are taking over onshore and shallow water operations from international oil companies who are divesting towards deepwater exploration.
This transition he said underscores the transformative impact of our local content, which in turn has become a model for other African nations aspiring to strengthen their local industries.
Lokpobiri spoke while delivering a speech at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
This year’s PNC is tagged “Defining the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation.”
According to Lokpobiri, “Our progress in this area is evident as local content has surged exponentially, spurring job creation, skills development, and industrialization.”
He stated that with the establishment of the African Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja, indigenous oil firms will experience easier access to funding, enabling them to compete more effectively with IOCs.
The minister added that “through robust policy frameworks, technology integration, and strategic collaborations, we will ensure that Nigerian content continues to define the next frontier of energy development while maintaining our nation as a leader in Africa’s energy landscape.”
