Company urges greater oil and gas production, local ownership, and sustainable energy transition
Seplat Energy Plc has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy industry to work towards creating an affordable, reliable, and accessible energy system to drive national prosperity and sustainable growth.
The company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Samson Ezugworie, made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of the 43rd Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference & Exhibition held in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production: Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development,” Ezugworie said Nigeria’s journey to economic transformation depends on expanding energy access for all citizens.
“The imperative before us is clear,” he said. “We must build a prosperous Nigeria, and we can only do that with affordable and reliable energy that is accessible to all.”
Energy Poverty Still a National Challenge
Ezugworie highlighted Nigeria’s severe energy access gap, noting that more than 70 million Nigerians lack electricity, while over 170 million people rely on biomass for cooking, a situation he described as harmful to both the environment and public health.
He warned that as Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 237 million by 2025 and 400 million by 2050, the urgency to address energy poverty has never been greater.
“We’ll have 160 million more people to feed and house, and we need to create 100 million new jobs,” he said. “But imagine what Nigeria can achieve if we act now.”
Increasing Oil and Gas Production Key to Prosperity
To meet the country’s growing needs, Ezugworie urged Nigeria to increase crude oil output to boost revenue, fund the government’s budget, and drive GDP growth.
He also emphasized the importance of harnessing Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to expand domestic energy access, replace polluting diesel generators, and provide cleaner cooking alternatives for households.
“We must scale up gas and NGL production to power industries, support growth, and drive national development,” he said.
Transition and Local Ownership in Focus
The Seplat Energy COO noted that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is undergoing a major transition as assets move from international oil companies to local Nigerian operators.
He described this as a positive shift that brings new opportunities, but also new challenges in raising finance, managing risks, and protecting the environment.
“This transition allows us to deepen local expertise, build stronger partnerships, and create an industry owned and managed by Nigerians, for Nigerians,” Ezugworie said.
He identified Leadership, Partnership, and Stewardship as the three key principles that will shape the future of Nigeria’s energy production.
Seplat’s Production and Gas Milestones
Ezugworie highlighted Seplat Energy’s ongoing efforts to boost production and reduce emissions. He said since acquiring its offshore assets, the company has rehabilitated 33 wells, with 26 of them now producing about 33,000 barrels per day.
“That’s a step in the right direction to closing the production gap that has limited Nigeria’s oil revenues,” he said, adding that more wells would be rehabilitated to meet the government’s output targets.
On gas development, the Seplat COO revealed that the company is close to delivering first gas from the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, a joint venture project, and has successfully shipped its first LPG cargoes from the upgraded Sapele Gas Plant.
He also announced progress toward ending routine flaring across Seplat’s onshore operations, a move that will help the company reduce emissions, capture gas, and monetize it for commercial use.
“Our progress on ANOH, Sapele, and LPG projects reflects Seplat’s commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity,” he said. “These initiatives are not just about energy, they are about transforming lives and powering development.”
Sustainable Energy for Nigeria’s Future
Ezugworie reaffirmed Seplat Energy’s pledge to support Nigeria’s energy transition, balancing oil and gas growth with cleaner, sustainable energy solutions.
He concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s energy future depends on collaboration, innovation, and responsible leadership, saying the goal should be to “power Nigeria’s prosperity while protecting its environment.”
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