Lokpobiri Talk Say Na Collaboration Fit Save Oil Industry

Na Monday we dey talk about wetin Mr Heineken Lokpobiri don yarn for Abuja. This guy no be small person, e be Deputy Minister for Petroleum, and e don talk say we need make everybody come together to boost local content for our oil and gas sector.

For the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit wey just start, Lokpobiri clear everybody say local content na the gbaladun wey go help Nigeria’s energy growth and Africa too. But why e go dey so hard? Na because local companies dey struggle, project costs dey high, and plenty wahala dey follow the implementation of the Local Content Act wey dey since 2010.

He talk say, na im be the first issue wey greet am when e assume office. Instead to boost local companies, na middlemen dey jubilate, and e no good at all. How we go fit compare our oil projects with wetin dem dey do abroad? This level no fit continue like this anymore!

Under President Bola Tinubu, dem don start to address the issues with better policies, wetin dey involve executive orders and more focus on how to make the Local Content Act work the way e suppose work. Lokpobiri dey call am like naija collaboration, where indigenous firms fit work with big international companies to reduce cost and build capacity.

“Nigeria dey big enough for everybody,” he talk. “Offshore projects need expertise, so we no go exclude anybody. Na team work go help us go forward.” The man don drop some collaborations wey go happen – naija companies go join hands with foreign companies for joint ventures, real talk!

But e also no forget to talk about money wahala. Some companies dey collect funds for capacity building but dem dey use am for short-term gains. So, the new strategy go involve accountability and strong oversight. Make dem know say money wey dey go reach genuine companies wey wan build sustainable capacity, not just hustle for quick cash.

And for people wey dey talk about skill development, dem dey work with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to train fresh talents. This new petroleum university and training centres go set up to prepare our people for global stage. E no go be say naija dey run after abroad forever!

At the summit, Lokpobiri dey beckon on stakeholders to use the chance to bring practical ideas wey go strengthen local content and boost our economy. E swear say, “No be competition between local and international companies, na collaboration we need to create value.”

So, my people, wetin una think? Abeg make we share our ideas, because na only together we fit push naija forward!