Lokpobiri Advocates for Energy Independence in Africa

On September 21, 2026, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), urged African nations to take control of their energy and industrial development, emphasizing that reliance on external partners is not a sustainable solution to energy poverty. This statement was made in Abuja during a meeting with Stev Simplice Onanga, the minister of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Congo, along with other Congolese officials and industry stakeholders.

Lokpobiri highlighted Nigeria's experience with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, which has increased indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry to about 60 percent. He noted that while local firms are thriving in onshore and shallow-water segments, the deep offshore sector remains dominated by international companies due to high technical and financial demands.

He also mentioned that the local content fund, sourced from industry contracts, has been crucial in developing local capacity and expertise.