Tinubu Calls for Global, African Partnerships to Drive Secure, Cleaner Energy

P President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with African nations, global stakeholders and the private sector to deliver secure, affordable, cleaner and inclusive energy solutions.

The President made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while opening the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit, where he was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He described energy as central to peace, prosperity and global stability, stressing that cooperation remains critical to achieving reliable access and sustainable development.

Tinubu said Nigeria is leveraging its vast gas reserves as a transition fuel while expanding renewable energy capacity. He noted that reforms introduced since 2023 are designed to tackle inefficiencies, enhance transparency and attract investments into the energy sector. “Nigeria is positioning itself as a dependable partner in the global energy transition,” he said.

According to the President, implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act has been strengthened, regulatory institutions reinforced and security coordination improved to curb crude oil theft. He added that upstream activities have rebounded, with increased rig counts and notable final investment decisions recorded in recent years. Tinubu also cited fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms as steps aimed at improving market efficiency and long-term investment prospects.

Speaking at the summit, Gambian President Adama Barrow underscored the regional impact of Nigeria’s energy policies and called for deeper strategic partnerships across Africa. Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, urged African countries to prioritise local processing and value addition instead of exporting raw materials.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured of legislative backing for ongoing energy reforms, while the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, described the summit as a platform to advance sector-wide collaboration. His counterpart in the gas sector, Ekperikpe Ekpo, said sustained reforms and partnerships are positioning gas as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy security.

Industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), cited increased indigenous participation, rising gas production and Nigeria’s estimated resource base of over 37 billion barrels of oil potential as factors strengthening the country’s role in Africa’s energy landscape.