The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening energy security through domestic refining, improved crude supply and increased investment in the petroleum sector.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, said that expanding domestic refining capacity and rehabilitating government-owned refineries were key to cutting dependence on imported products and positioning Nigeria as a regional energy hub.

Tinubu spoke at the ongoing 20th edition of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 on Monday in Lagos.

He said that the ongoing petroleum sector reforms were designed to attract investment, strengthen domestic value addition and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional energy markets.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, represented by Prosper Omoneto, a director in the commission, said that reliable crude supply was essential to sustaining domestic refining and strengthening energy security.

Eyesan said that the Petroleum Industry Act provided for domestic crude supply obligations, but noted that supply to local refineries had faced challenges, including commercial disagreements between suppliers and refiners operating under a willing-buyer, willing-seller framework.

She said that the commission was consulting on a proposed crude-swap framework that could enable refiners to receive crude oil from production or export points closer to their facilities, to reduce transportation costs and address logistical challenges.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the success of energy reforms should be judged by their impact on transportation costs, food distribution and business expenses.

Sanwo-Olu said that energy costs directly affected household expenditure and business operations, stressing that reliable and affordable energy was necessary to lower operating costs and support economic activities.

Tajudeen Abbas,the Speaker of the House of Representatives, represented by Peter Aniekwe, said domestic refining could retain more economic value within Nigeria and create employment.

Abbas said that domestic production alone would not insulate Nigeria from disruptions in the global oil market.

He added that effective regulation, reliable distribution networks and sustained investment were equally necessary to strengthen energy security.

He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and exercising oversight over policies and investments in the sector, stressing that reforms must translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

Farouk Ahmed, a former Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, said that predictable regulation was essential to attracting investment into the downstream petroleum industry.

Ahmed said that consistent enforcement, transparent decision-making and effective stakeholder consultation would strengthen investor confidence and support sustainable growth.

He identified infrastructure gaps, financing constraints, product quality and supply-chain efficiency as challenges requiring sustained attention.

He called for stronger regional cooperation, technology adoption and workforce development to improve the resilience of petroleum markets.

The 4-day OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week, held from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29, with the theme,“Secure Energy, Shared Prosperity”. 

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Monday in Lagos, unveiled its Revision 2 of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code to strengthen gas transportation regulations, improve market efficiency and facilitate trade.

The Authority’s Chief Executive, Rabiu Umar, made the public launch of the Code at the 20th edition of OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week 2026 in Lagos.

Umar said that the revised code provided clearer rules for gas measurement, nominations and transportation, thereby promoting transparency and improving coordination among network users.

He said that participation in the gas transportation network had increased, with more shippers joining since the introduction of Revision 1.

He added that imbalances on the western gas network had declined by 30 per cent since the earlier version was introduced.

Umar said that effective gas transportation regulations were essential to improving network operations and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s gas market.

Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy (Oil and Gas), in her remarks said that gas remained critical to power generation, industrial development and transportation.

Verheijen, who was represented by Eriye Onagoruwa, Team Lead in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, emphasised the importance of regulatory certainty and investment in gas infrastructure.

She said that predictable regulations would help attract the investments required to develop gas infrastructure and expand the use of gas across the economy.

Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) said that investment in gas infrastructure was essential to developing the country’s energy value chain.

Dagazau stressed the need for improved coordination among industry stakeholders and regional cooperation to promote energy market integration and cross-border trade.

Tunji Oyebanji, Chairman of the OTL Africa Downstream Advisory Board, said infrastructure development and efficient logistics were critical to strengthening Africa’s downstream energy markets.

He said that commercial partnerships among African countries would help expand energy trade and create investment opportunities across the region.

Republic Of Niger Tightens Petrol Market as Supply Gap Increases

The new policy says marketers would not sell fuel between nine at night and six in the morning to enable suppliers, including the Nigerien Petroleum Company (Sonidep), to restock them.

It said this temporary measure aimed to improve the smooth running of operations while guaranteeing deliveries and the availability of petrol, following a countrywide shortage.

But the measure is impacting taxi drivers, like Moussa Idé Boubacar, who said he has not been able to make his payments for two days.

“Normally, we generate revenue of around 20,000 a day, of which 8,000 is for payments and 12,000 is for fuel. With this shortage, we’ve had some management issues,” he said.

As the fuel shortage spreads, motorists have been facing increasingly long queues at stations.

Residents in the capital, Niamey, and elsewhere said this was disrupting daily life, making it difficult to get to work and carry out their daily activities.

The taxi union, Synctaxi, has called for the new curfew to be relaxed for operators who are struggling to make ends meet.

“To obtain fuel, you need authorisation. The petrol station must be open around the clock,” said its secretary-general, Ganda Sanda.

“We are appealing to the governorate and the governor as well to reconsider because it does not suit us,” he said.

Sanda added that the union wanted to draw the authorities’ attention to the fact that the transport sector “makes a significant contribution to the country’s development”.

In addition to the curfew, the sale of fuel in jerry cans outside stations has also been prohibited in all areas that have at least one petrol station.

The authorities have called on Nigeriens to show “understanding and civic-mindedness” saying the measures were aimed at improving supply.

Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma yesterday, launched the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Door-to-Door Movement in the state, promising to ensure Tinubu’s landslide in 2027.

In a speech at the event in Owerri, Uzodimma said the state resolved to lead the crusade, following a careful assessment of the president’s achievements and the necessity for continuity.

“In Imo, we have assessed the president’s achievements and decided to lead the crusade that will enable him to complete his good work,” Uzodimma said.

He commended the founder of the movement, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for donating 30 vehicles to drive the state-wide grassroots campaign.

He also expressed gratitude to the campaign team for taking the “Renewed Hope” message across 15 states, describing them as “key image-makers for the administration”.

Uzodimma gave assurances that votes from the state in 2027 would be organic, saying that residents were convinced by the positive impacts of the Tinubu’s economic and structural reforms.

He warned appointed local government area campaign coordinators against working outside the party’s structure, threatening to withdraw operational vehicles from recalcitrant members.

“There is no coalition in Imo; you are empowered strictly to work for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Uzodimma cautioned.

The APC state Chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, commended Tinubu’s economic policies, including the N70,000 national minimum wage and student loan scheme.

Onyedebelu said that while economic transitions caused temporary pressures, close cooperation between Federal and State Governments would yield more tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.

Also, the National Coordinator of the movement, Sunday Asuku, urged Nigerians to endure current economic reforms, describing them as “necessary pains for long-term national prosperity.”

“Where there is reform, you are expected to go through some pain, but it guarantees long-term prosperity,” Asuku said.

He urged Imo citizens to vote massively for Tinubu on January 16, 2027.

Speaking on behalf of Ekpemupolo, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, Chief Kestin Pondi, said the movement aimed to align with Uzodimma’s political stance as champion of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We came to support the champion of a cause, and we could not have come empty-handed,” Pondi said, while presenting operational support for the campaign.

He described Tinubu as a “courageous” leader, who prioritised national interests above personal political ambitions and the office he sought. (NAN)