The Lawyers in Energy International Conference (L.E.I.C.A.) 2025 is set to gather Nigeria’s leading voices in law, governance, and business for a high-level dialogue on the future of the energy sector.

Scheduled for October 22, 2025, in Lagos, the conference will run under the theme: “Law, Risk and Reform: Shaping Nigeria’s Energy Sector for Sustainable Prosperity.”

Unlike conventional forums, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 aims to go beyond speeches, focusing on practical strategies, risk frameworks, and actionable insights required to navigate one of the world’s most complex energy markets.

Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dolapo Kukoyi, emphasised that Nigeria’s energy sector is at a critical crossroads of reform and regulation. “L.E.I.C.A. 2025 will serve as a platform where policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders align on frameworks that not only attract capital but also guarantee transparency, compliance, and long-term stability for the sector. The task before us is to turn policy into practice,” she noted.

From ministers and regulators to CEOs, senior lawyers, financiers, insurers, and policy strategists, participants will deliberate on pressing issues shaping the sector’s future. Discussions will cover how reforms are influencing investment flows, whether governance and compliance can meet global ESG benchmarks, and what risk management models are needed to safeguard capital and operations in today’s volatile energy landscape.

“At a time when investors are weighing risk against opportunity, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 will bring the clarity and confidence they need. By uniting legal minds, financial institutions, and energy operators, the conference will spotlight where real value lies and how reforms can be converted into bankable projects that drive growth and sustainability,” Kukoyi added.

Since its inception, L.E.I.C.A. has been a trusted convening point for the legal and energy communities, bridging the gap between policy aspirations and commercial realities.

The 2025 edition, according to organisers, will spotlight the intersections of regulation, governance, financing, dispute resolution, and economic growth—critical factors that will determine whether Nigeria can unlock the potential of its vast energy resources.

With the global energy transition accelerating and Nigeria’s reforms reshaping its investment climate, L.E.I.C.A. 2025 is expected to deliver not just timely conversations, but urgent and decisive insights that could define the nation’s economic trajectory for the next decade.

The House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations has commended the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for upholding robust health and safety standards at the Calabar Power Plant in Odukpani, Cross River State.

The commendation followed an on-the-spot inspection of the 565MW facility, where lawmakers noted marked improvements in safety compliance since their last visit in 2018.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. David Idris Zacharias, said the oversight visit was aimed at ensuring that Nigerians work in safe environments and enjoy healthier, longer lives. He praised the staff for maintaining high standards, stressing that the welfare of workers in the power sector is vital to both government and the economy.

“My impression here is positive, and you also heard the same from my honourable colleagues. We always appreciate when we enter an organisation and see that things are done well,” Zacharias said.

He, however, emphasized that the visit was also to identify areas for improvement. “We must observe and highlight areas that require attention. What we are saying here is to encourage them to deepen their commitment to safety. We saw their challenges, which we will take back to the government, and we hope to see progress on our next visit,” he added.

The lawmakers particularly called for enhancements to staff welfare, including improved lighting, better rest areas for shift workers, and adequate seating in offices.

Committee members present included Hon. Harrison Anozie Nwadike, Hon. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi, Hon. Kalejaiye Paul Adeboye, Hon. El-Rasheed Abdullahi, and Hon. Emmanuel Effiong Udo. They were conducted around the plant by the Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Ayoade Olanrewaju Bex, and described the facility as one of the best in terms of safety compliance.

Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Executive Director, Generation, Engr. Abdullahi Kassim, NDPHC’s General Manager, Generation Projects, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, reaffirmed that safety remains a top priority for the company.

“The visit was very important to us. Comparing the 2018 report to what we have now shows a great improvement in compliance. This proves NDPHC is not taking safety and environmental standards for granted,” she said.

She assured the lawmakers that management has noted the areas highlighted for improvement. “The welfare of our staff is critical. If they are not in good condition to work, we won’t get the best out of them. Those observations will be addressed in the shortest possible time,” Agberagba added.

Acting Head of Health, Safety and Environment at NDPHC, Austin Ijagem, also revealed that the Calabar Power Plant has not recorded any work-related fatalities since operations began.

“The difference between 2018 and now is clear. Many of the safety concerns previously raised have been closed out. We are moving closer to achieving zero pending safety issues at the plant,” Ijagem said.

General Manager, Generation Projects, NDPHC, Engr. Valerie Agberagba, Chairman of the Committee, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, David Idris Zachariah and Chief Operating Officer of the Calabar Power Plant, Engr. Ayoade Olanrewaju Bex at the power plant in Odukpani.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has clarified that the three Executive Orders issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024 did not weaken or sideline the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.

This assurance was given during a Local Content Masterclass and panel session at the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, where stakeholders examined Nigeria’s local content milestones, clarified misconceptions, and provided lessons for other African oil and gas-producing countries.

Panelists included NCDMB officials such as Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, Director of Capacity Building; Silas Omomehin Ajimijaye, General Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Ms. Fateemah Mohammed, General Manager, Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF). The session was moderated by the General Manager, and Corporate Communications, Obinna Ezeobi.

Engr. Bamidele explained that some industry players had misinterpreted the Presidential Directives to mean that compliance with the NOGICD Act was no longer mandatory. He clarified that the directives simply mandated the use of existing local capacities and eliminated middlemen from the contracting process.

The three orders cover Local Content Compliance, Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines, and Tax Incentives for Oil and Gas Companies. To align with these directives, NCDMB streamlined its contract approval process from nine to five stages, reducing project costs and accelerating investment decisions.

Bamidele also disclosed that qualified international service companies can now obtain the Nigerian Content Equipment Certificates (NCEC) to participate in deepwater operations—an initiative expected to attract new investments. He added that NCDMB is advancing infrastructure projects such as the Brass Island Shipyard, supported by NLNG, and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks at Odukpani, Cross River State, and Emeyal-1, Bayelsa State.

Ajimijaye highlighted NCDMB’s robust monitoring systems that ensure compliance with the NOGICD Act. He noted that oil asset divestments have not reduced compliance levels, as indigenous operators have adopted established frameworks. He also stressed the importance of research and development, citing six Centres of Excellence in Nigerian universities and support for 15 innovative projects through the Board’s R&D Fund.

Speaking on financing, Ms. Mohammed explained that the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund provides single-digit loans to indigenous service companies. She outlined key schemes such as the ₦50 billion Community Contractors Fund, which grants up to ₦100 million to local contractors, and the $20 million Women in Oil and Gas Fund, managed by NEXIM Bank, to support women entrepreneurs.

She urged other African countries to adopt similar financing models to enhance local capacity, while reaffirming NCDMB’s commitment to expanding the Fund and partnering with financial institutions to unlock bigger projects.