By Editor

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Seplat Energy Plc have intensified efforts to kick-start a Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University, marking a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s gas research and local content capabilities.

At a strategic meeting in Abraka, Delta State, senior officials from both organisations engaged the university’s leadership on key requirements for the take-off of the project, which was approved by the Board in 2024.

The initiative forms part of a broader national framework to deepen research and development (R&D) in the oil and gas sector. It is one of several centres being established across the country, following a 10-year R&D roadmap developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the industry.

Speaking at the engagement, NCDMB’s Director of Corporate Services, Abdulmalik Halilu, representing Executive Secretary Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said both organisations had held extensive consultations since 2024 to define the project’s scope, covering infrastructure, equipment, research policy, capacity development, and long-term sustainability.

He confirmed that both NCDMB and Seplat have now endorsed the framework for implementation, with a dedicated team of technical experts already constituted to drive execution. The Board has also strengthened its internal project team to ensure delivery aligns with expectations.

Halilu reaffirmed the commitment of the NCDMB leadership, noting that resources across quality assurance, R&D, and operational units have been mobilised to support both the development and execution phases.

On its part, Seplat Energy underscored the strategic importance of the initiative. The company’s Nigerian Content Manager, Simeon Ogari, said the choice of DELSU was influenced by its proximity to Seplat’s operational hub, including the 300MMscfd ANOH Gas Processing Plant, operated in partnership with the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company.

He added that the centre is expected to serve as a hub for advanced research, technology incubation, and industry-driven innovation, with benefits extending beyond academia to the broader energy sector and national economy.

Ogari emphasised the need for strong collaboration, referencing the “Triple Helix Model,” which integrates government, academia, and industry as critical drivers of innovation and sustainable development.

Providing further insight, the Chief Executive Officer of GOSHEN, Leonard Okafor, said the PwC-led study identified structural gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas ecosystem, particularly weak intersectoral linkages. The establishment of research centres, he noted, is designed to address these deficiencies and strengthen local participation.

According to him, the roadmap highlights five priority areas for R&D: collaboration, infrastructure, capability development, commercial/legal frameworks, and funding. He stressed that attracting high-quality research talent and fostering institutional partnerships would be critical to the project’s success.

In response, DELSU Vice Chancellor, Samuel Oghenovo Asagba, welcomed the initiative and assured stakeholders of the university’s readiness to meet all requirements for a successful launch. He noted that the institution boasts strong academic capacity, particularly in science and engineering disciplines, positioning it well for impactful collaboration.

Also speaking, NCDMB’s General Manager, Quality Assurance, Chris Osuji, said his team would ensure strict adherence to quality standards from project inception through completion.

Closing the engagement, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Silas Ajimijaye, commended Seplat for its funding support and urged the university to leverage the project to build a lasting legacy. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Douglason Omotor, also pledged the institution’s full cooperation, highlighting the availability of skilled academics and administrators to drive the initiative.

With alignment secured among key stakeholders, the Centre of Excellence is poised to become a critical platform for advancing gas development, innovation, and local content in Nigeria’s energy sector.

By Ambrose Nnaji

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called for a phased and pragmatic approach to fuel specification harmonisation across Africa, warning that rigid, uniform timelines could undermine market stability.

Speaking at the African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026 in Cape Town, the Authority’s Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, said that while harmonisation remains a critical continental objective, structural differences among African markets make a “one-size-fits-all” model unrealistic.

Addressing a panel session on policy pathways for harmonisation, Mohammed stressed the need for a flexible framework that allows countries to align fuel standards at a pace suited to their regulatory capacity, infrastructure readiness, and refining capabilities.

He noted that a step-by-step transition would help avoid supply disruptions and limit additional cost burdens on consumers, particularly in price-sensitive economies.

“Harmonisation must be pragmatic and context-driven. We must align ambition with execution realities,” he said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s approach, Mohammed said the NMDPRA is advancing tighter fuel quality standards while maintaining supply security and market efficiency. He added that regulation in emerging markets must carefully balance environmental goals with affordability and energy access.

He identified critical success factors for harmonisation to include stronger collaboration among regulators, clear and consistent policy frameworks, sustained investment in refining and distribution infrastructure, and realistic implementation timelines.

According to him, better alignment of fuel specifications across the continent would reduce market distortions, curb cross-border arbitrage, and boost intra-African petroleum trade, while supporting a gradual transition to cleaner fuels.

Mohammed also pointed to increasing refining capacity in Africa—particularly in Nigeria—as a key enabler for reducing dependence on imports and accelerating standardisation efforts.

The African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026, which marks two decades of regional downstream coordination, brought together regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore strategies for building a more integrated and resilient energy market.

L–R:
Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization; Marie-Josephine Sidibé, President of the African Refiners and Distributors Association; and Saidu Mohammed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, during proceedings at ARDA Week 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.

By Editor

As NOG Energy Week celebrates its 25th anniversary, the 2026 edition is set to convene a powerful coalition of global and African energy leaders in Abuja this July, under the theme: “Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive & Resilient Economies.”

Positioned as Nigeria’s flagship energy convening, the event will shift from rhetoric to execution—focusing on eight strategic pillars designed to translate ambition into bankable projects and scalable solutions across the continent.

With an expected 7,500 participants, 300 exhibitors, and delegates from 85 countries, NOG 2026 underscores Africa’s rising importance in a rapidly evolving global energy order. As geopolitical tensions reshape supply chains and intensify the quest for energy security, Nigeria and its regional peers are increasingly viewed as reliable sources of oil, gas, and LNG for global markets.

Against this backdrop, the conference programme is structured to address critical industry pain points—ranging from supply stability and infrastructure deficits to long-term competitiveness and capital mobilisation. A strong emphasis will be placed on strategic partnerships and cross-border collaboration, positioning the event as a high-impact platform for deal-making and investment alignment.

This year’s agenda adopts a full-spectrum energy systems approach, integrating upstream expansion with midstream infrastructure and downstream market development. The goal is clear: to deliver energy at scale while strengthening Africa’s position as a supply anchor in an increasingly fragmented global market.

Gas and LNG will take centre stage as catalysts for industrialisation and export-led growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” ambitions. Complementing this is a forward-looking focus on technology and innovation, particularly the role of AI-driven solutions in enhancing exploration, boosting production efficiency, and optimising energy systems to meet surging demand from digital infrastructure.

The programme also reflects the energy transition imperative, with dedicated sessions on decarbonisation and renewable energy—signalling a balanced pathway toward sustainability without compromising energy access or economic growth.

In a climate of persistent market volatility, NOG 2026 aims to deliver outcomes—not just conversations. Curated by an executive committee of industry leaders, the event will bring together policymakers, financiers, and operators to unlock capital, address structural bottlenecks, and accelerate project delivery.

Key speakers include Heineken Lokpobiri, Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, alongside leading industry figures such as Bayo Bashir Ojulari and Proscovia Nabbanja.

Multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation, will also play a central role in shaping investment discourse.

From high-level strategic sessions to the NOG Energy Club and Deals Lounge, the anniversary edition is designed to catalyse partnerships and close critical financing gaps—cementing its role as a cornerstone platform for advancing Africa’s energy future.