- The Niger Delta Oil & Gas Investment and Security Summit in Calabar urged Nigeria to prioritise renewable energy investment and deepen host community engagement.
- Speakers called for tax incentives, stronger law enforcement, and joint ventures to secure the energy future.
Stakeholders at the Niger Delta Oil & Gas Investment and Security Summit in Calabar urged Nigeria to shift its energy strategy toward renewable investment and stronger host community engagement.
Delivering the keynote lecture, “The Global Energy Transition and Nigeria’s Energy Security,” Eur Ing (Amb.) Dr. Chinedu Ogwus called on the Federal Government to create incentives that attract solar and battery manufacturing. He also recommended a five-year tax holiday for renewable energy firms and stressed that dialogue with oil-producing communities remained essential for lasting peace.
“Government must encourage investment and support individuals to build solar factories,” Ogwus said. “This measure would assist the nation in leading Africa’s energy transition by 2060.”
The summit, themed “Constructive Engagement for the Protection of Oil & Gas Assets and Supporting Institutions to Drive Implementation of Extant Laws to Deepen Local Content Realisation,” convened policymakers, legislators, and community leaders to address insecurity, underdevelopment, and local participation in the oil and gas sector.
In addition, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Benson Agadaga, emphasised that enforcing existing laws required practical collaboration. “It is through platforms like this summit that ideas are shared to help develop our communities and advance our environment. The laws exist, but it is up to us to bring them to life,” he said. He also encouraged stakeholders to pursue joint ventures in oil and gas.
Furthermore, Cross River State Governor Prince Bassey Otu, who hosted the event with Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey welcomed participants, including Minister of State for Petroleum Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Minister of Environment, Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator Eteng Williams, and Rt. Hon. Obongemgem Ekparikpe.
The summit ended with a call for collaborative investment, stronger local content implementation, and renewable adoption to secure Nigeria’s energy future in a rapidly changing global landscape.