As part of activities at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), led by its President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
During the engagement, the NAPE President presented the Association’s forward-looking plans and advocacy priorities focused on strengthening Nigeria’s upstream sector. Key areas highlighted included:
* Growing oil and gas reserves through frontier basin exploration and deeper gas development * Encouraging local funding mechanisms to support indigenous exploration and production activities * Promoting industry sustainability through targeted capacity building * Advocating a review of academic curricula and the establishment of a proposed NAPE Academy, in collaboration with key stakeholders, to address technical and skills gaps across the industry.
In his response, Senator Lokpobiri commended NAPE’s initiatives and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working collaboratively with the Association to achieve shared objectives. He emphasized:
* The importance of data-driven decision-making supported by robust technical and subsurface data * The need for NAPE’s technical expertise to remain central to policy and operational discussions * A strategic focus on energy mix optimization, rather than a narrow energy transition narrative, to sustainably grow Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.
The visit concluded with the formal presentation of the NAPE 2025 Pre-Conference Workshop Communiqué, reinforcing the Association’s thought leadership and policy recommendations for the sector.
The NAPE leadership also briefed the Honourable Minister on preparations for the 2026 NAPE International Conference and Exhibition, themed: “Unlocking More Barrels: Driving Reserves Growth through Exploration, Local Capabilities and Adaptive Technology.” The Conference is scheduled to hold from 8 to 12 November 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, and will convene industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and technical professionals to advance actionable solutions for Nigeria’s energy future. This engagement has also received media coverage.
The formal presentation of the NAPE 2025 Pre-Conference Workshop communiqué to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, by the NAPE President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, presents a NAPE Badge to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, presents a souvenir to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle.
NAPE President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, exchanging a handshake with the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri during the courtesy visit.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in a seated engagement with the NAPE President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, during a courtesy visit by the Association’s leadership at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026.
he Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside the President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, and members of the NAPE leadership during a courtesy visit at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, flanked by the NAPE President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, and members of the NAPE leadership during a formal engagement at NIES 2026.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in an engagement session with the NAPE delegation, led by its President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, during the Association’s courtesy visit at NIES 2026.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in an engagement session with the NAPE delegation, led by its President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, during the Association’s courtesy visit at NIES 2026.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in an engagement session with the NAPE delegation, led by its President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, during the Association’s courtesy visit at NIES 2026.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in an engagement session with the NAPE delegation, led by its President, Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, during the Association’s courtesy visit at NIES 2026.
