Johnbosco Uche urges renewed investment, stronger policy alignment ahead of 43rd NAPE Annual Conference in Lagos…
The President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Johnbosco Uche, has cautioned that Nigeria’s crude oil production could face a steep decline in the coming years unless new exploration projects and discoveries are aggressively pursued.
Uche issued the warning during a media briefing ahead of the 43rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of NAPE, scheduled to hold from November 9 to 13, 2025 in Lagos.
This year’s conference, themed “Revitalising the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development,” will focus on strategies to sustain energy availability and ensure long-term economic resilience amid the global energy transition.
According to Uche, the conference theme underscores Nigeria’s urgent need to guarantee energy availability, stability, and affordability, while preparing the petroleum sector to compete in a fast-evolving global market.
“The theme speaks directly to the heart of Nigeria’s national priorities, ensuring energy availability, stability, and affordability, while also positioning our petroleum sector to thrive in a rapidly changing global energy environment,” he said.
The NAPE president emphasized that as the world accelerates toward low-carbon energy systems, Nigeria must balance its petroleum exploration and production efforts with plans for a diversified, cleaner energy future.
“We cannot achieve this without deliberate policy alignment, increased investment, and a renewed exploration drive,” he added.
Urgent Reforms Needed to Sustain Oil and Gas Output
Uche warned that without consistent exploration, Nigeria’s oil production profile could weaken within the next decade, threatening both revenue stability and energy security.
He outlined several steps needed to reposition the upstream sector, including:
- Reigniting exploration in mature basins through a review of well classifications to attract new investment.
- Refocusing exploration strategies among international oil companies (IOCs) and indigenous producers.
- Boosting production capacity through optimised field development and advanced technologies.
“These measures are crucial if we are to meet the nation’s 2030 target of three million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion cubic feet of gas per day,” Uche said.
He also highlighted the importance of gas development as a key transition fuel to power industries, support economic growth, and reduce carbon emissions. To achieve this, he called for new seismic data acquisition, stronger geoscience research, and deeper collaboration among government, industry, and academia.
Conference to Spotlight Energy Transition and Innovation
The NAPE president described the 2025 conference as a “pivotal gathering” for Nigeria’s energy community, featuring:
- An Opening Ceremony and All-Convention Luncheon,
- Executive and Technical Sessions, and
- A President’s Night and Awards Ceremony.
He said the event would provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas on how to stabilise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector while driving sustainable energy growth.
“As we strive to achieve economic stability and energy independence, our actions today must secure the energy of tomorrow. NAPE remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s petroleum industry continues to be a catalyst for development and sustainability,” Uche stated.
Media as Partners in Energy Advocacy
Uche also commended journalists for their continued support of the industry, describing the media as “critical partners in shaping public understanding of the energy sector.”
“Your role in amplifying the national energy conversation remains invaluable. Together, let us continue to ensure that our ideas continue to find oil and gas,” he added.
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