- Day One discussions focused on developing future energy leaders, strengthening local content and fostering collaboration to drive Nigeria’s energy transition.
- Speakers highlighted the need to balance energy security with sustainability while investing in innovation, research and human capital.
Abuja, Nigeria- Conversations at NOG Energy Week 2026 highlighted shared commitment among government institutions, regulators, industry leaders and development partners to accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition through collaboration, innovation, local content development and strategic leadership.
The Electricity Hub participated in a series of high-level sessions in which speakers examined the future of Nigeria’s energy sector from the perspectives of policy, industrial development, financing, leadership, and sustainability.
The opening panel, moderated by Hadassah Husseini, Advisor, Diplomatic Relations at NNPC Limited, examined how Africa can strengthen local content and build the next generation of energy leaders. Panellists included Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Corporate Services at the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN); Maggy Shino, Director of Petroleum Upstream in the Office of the President of the Republic of Namibia; and Ibrahima Talla, Executive Secretary of the African Local Content Association (ALCA).
The panellists agreed that Africa must move beyond resource extraction by investing in local capacity, skills development, technology transfer and regional collaboration. They emphasised that strong local content policies, effective leadership and strategic partnerships will enable African countries to build competitive energy industries, create quality jobs and retain greater value from their natural resources. They also encouraged governments, industry and educational institutions to work together to develop the skilled workforce required to drive the continent’s energy transition and long-term industrial growth.
The second panel, Emerging Leaders – Shaping the Future of Energy, centred on intentionally preparing young professionals for leadership. Speakers agreed that developing the next generation of energy leaders requires more than technical competence. Instead, they urged organisations to invest deliberately in mentorship, practical exposure and leadership opportunities.
Ikhuoria Aimienwanu called for intentional investment in young professionals through mentorship, exposure and early leadership opportunities. Yinka Atude challenged organisations to move beyond creating opportunities by entrusting young professionals with meaningful responsibilities and supporting them to deliver results. Bashir Ahmed highlighted the rapidly evolving energy landscape and stressed that future leaders must understand changing regulations, investment priorities and emerging industry trends. Engr. Yetunde Aladeitan emphasised the importance of continuous training, mentorship and empowerment, while Godslove Chinyere Oliver encouraged organisations to assign young professionals to lead projects and workstreams as a practical pathway to building future industry leaders.
The third panel, Upscaling Capacity and Supply Chains to Meet Evolving Energy Demands, examined how Nigeria can strengthen its human capital and industrial capacity to support long-term growth. Moderated by Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, General Manager, Corporate Communications at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the discussion focused on workforce development, industry collaboration and supply chain resilience.
Segun Banwo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, advocated for closer alignment between academic curricula and industry requirements while encouraging the adoption of virtual reality, augmented reality and simulation-based learning to prepare graduates for the workplace. Usman Pindar, General Manager of Corporate Communications at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), explained that the Fund’s mandate extends beyond scholarship programmes to include strategic partnerships that develop the skilled workforce required by the energy industry.
Alexis Emelle highlighted NCDMB’s initiatives to identify critical skills gaps through targeted training, classroom instruction and practical industry exposure. Engr. Chris Osarumwense, President of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), called for continuous professional development and stronger collaboration among OGTAN, PETAN, NCDMB and operators to ensure training reflects industry realities. Engr. Obidike Uzu, Vice Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), urged stakeholders to adopt procurement systems that reward performance and quality rather than the lowest bid while advocating incentives for local manufacturing and sustainable financing for indigenous industries.
Collectively, the panellists agreed that stronger collaboration between government, industry and training institutions remains essential to developing the skilled workforce and resilient supply chains needed to support Nigeria’s long-term energy ambitions.
The conversation continued during the Offshore Frontiers and Local Content: Nurturing Local Capacity to Support Production Growth session, where stakeholders examined strategies for increasing local participation in offshore oil and gas operations. Moderated by Emike Akwiwu, Director of Relationship Management (West Africa) at S&P Global Commodity Insights, the panel featured Esueme Dan Kikile of NCDMB, Sam Ben Ohen of PETAN, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Joseph Duntoye of Aveon Offshore Limited and Achese Amadi of TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited.
Meanwhile, the speakers emphasised that sustainable offshore growth depends on continuous investment in local talent, technology transfer and indigenous service providers. They also encouraged stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, operators and local companies to improve project delivery, strengthen operational efficiency and position African businesses to compete in increasingly complex offshore developments.
The day’s discussions concluded with the panel on Strengthening Domestic Value Creation – Import Substitution and Strategic Partnerships, where speakers explored practical pathways for expanding Nigeria’s industrial base through stronger collaboration and local manufacturing.
The panellists stressed that domestic value creation requires early stakeholder engagement, increased investment in research and innovation, stronger financing mechanisms for indigenous businesses and policies that encourage local manufacturing. They also highlighted the importance of supporting women-led enterprises and strengthening partnerships among industry, academia, regulators and development finance institutions.
Furthermore, the speakers agreed that reliable and affordable energy remains fundamental to achieving these objectives. They noted that competitive manufacturing depends on an enabling environment where businesses can innovate, produce locally and compete effectively in regional and global markets.
As discussions continue throughout NOG Energy Week 2026, Day One established a clear consensus that leadership development, local capacity building, resilient supply chains and strategic partnerships will remain central to Nigeria’s journey towards a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable energy sector.