- The Nigerian oil and gas regulatory clarity 2025 agenda urges simpler policies and stronger workforce development to boost growth.
- The 2025 roadmap emphasises collaboration, technology, and transparent governance as key to achieving national output goals.
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil, has urged the adoption of clearer regulations and stronger workforce development to boost Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Conference in Lagos, EEPNL’s Executive Director of Development, Etabuko Abirhire, said Nigeria’s targets of producing two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million by 2030 are achievable with streamlined policies, efficient operations, and collaboration between government and industry players.
Abirhire emphasised that operational efficiency and human capital development are crucial for sustainable growth. He noted that regulatory clarity should extend beyond policy formulation to project implementation, ensuring discipline and accountability.
He commended the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) reforms and presidential directives aimed at attracting investors, particularly in deepwater exploration. However, he urged faster and more consistent implementation to achieve visible results.
Abirhire also highlighted partnerships between EEPNL, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), noting that such cooperation supports large-scale projects and strengthens local participation.
He cited ExxonMobil’s Discovery 6 Supercomputer as an example of innovation improving efficiency, reducing seismic data processing time from months to weeks. In conclusion, Abirhire reaffirmed that regulatory clarity, skilled manpower, and technology are vital to achieving Nigeria’s energy goals and positioning the country as a model for sustainable oil and gas development in Africa.