Dear NAPE Members, Associates, and Friends.
It is my pleasure to deliver my first message to you as President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists. I express my sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the 2025 NAPE Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), held from November 9 to 13 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Your dedication, participation and support – from members and volunteers to speakers, students, young professionals, sponsors and partners – made this year’s conference truly exceptional.
The 2025 AICE strengthened our core programmes while introducing new initiatives that enhanced engagement, deepened learning and broadened impact across all participant groups.
Pre-Conference Highlights
The conference activities began with the NAPE Golf Tournament on November 1 at the Ibom Resort and Golf Country Club, Uyo, fostering a warm atmosphere of camaraderie and networking. This was followed by the Pre Conference Workshop on November 5 in Lagos, themed “Recent Trends in Divestments and Acquisitions in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry,” which provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of asset transfers and the growing role of indigenous operators.
Other pre conference activities included the Virtual Field Trip on November 7, eight short courses on November 8 and 9 delivered by experienced facilitators, the President’s Night on November 8 and the Icebreaker Cocktail on November 9.
Day One Highlights
The Opening Ceremony marked the start of the main conference with the presence of distinguished guests, including the Governor of Ondo State, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with NAPE on ongoing and future energy projects. His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration between government and industry in advancing sustainable energy development.
Key remarks delivered by Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri (Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil), Olu Verheijen (Special Adviser to the President on Energy), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe (Chief Executive, NUPRC) and Engr. Ahmadu Kida (non-Executive Chairman NNPCL Board) during the Opening Ceremony received significant media coverage.
Platformsafrica: https://platformsafrica.com/2025/11/11/nuprc-approved-43-fdps-with-20-billion-in-committed-capital-official/
Punch: https://punchng.com/presidency-eyes-nnpc-shake-up-as-oil-output-falters/
The Guardian: https://guardian.ng/energy/fg-moves-to-curb-misuse-of-oil-exploration-funds/
As part of the long-standing tradition of the Association, the 2025 NAPE Communiqué from the Pre-Conference Workshop was formally presented to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Hon. Heineken Lokpobiri, and as well published in the The Guardian Newspaper on November 26, 2025. The communiqué encapsulates the Association’s technical position, policy recommendations, and industry-wide perspectives on strengthening Nigeria’s upstream sector, advancing energy security, improving regulatory efficiency, and driving sustainable investment across the petroleum value chain; https://nape.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NAPE-2025-Comminique.pdf
The Exhibition Hall was formally opened afterward.
The All Convention Luncheon followed with the theme “Improving the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.” Students participated actively in the Basin Evaluation Competition, where the University of Lagos emerged as the overall winner. The Young Professional Leadership Forum, themed “Innovation in Energy: Young Professionals Shaping the Future of the Energy Industry,” featured seasoned experts offering guidance and insights to young professionals.
Day Two Highlights
The Management Session took centre stage, followed by fireside conversations that explored leadership, operational excellence and sustainable business strategies. The Special TechBusiness Forum broadened discussions on balancing energy security, ESG compliance and value creation.
The Young Professional EnergyTech Pitch a thon showcased innovative ideas from young professionals, with three winners emerging. The Dr Ebere Bernard Geoscience Challenge Bowl Quiz Competition also held on the same day, with the University of Jos taking the top position.
The UAP Industry Academia Meetup, introduced this year, featured a Hall of Fame segment honouring 50 influential individuals from both industry and academia whose contributions have significantly shaped NAPE’s growth and impact. The day ended with African Nite at Harbour Point, a vibrant celebration of culture and community.
Day Three Highlights
The newly introduced Finance and Investment Forum, themed “From Rig to Retirement: Smart Investment Strategies for Oil and Gas Professionals,” provided research driven insights into financial behaviour and smart wealth management for industry professionals. The Women in Geoscience and Engineering Session, themed “Empowered to Innovate: Leading Nigeria’s Energy and Digital Transformation,” highlighted the role of women in driving innovation and digital progress.
The Young Professionals Meet and Greet created an opportunity for students and early career professionals to connect with mentors, while technical oral and poster presentations showcased case studies, research findings, best practices and technological advancements.
Closing Day
The conference concluded with the prestigious Awards Night, featuring the installation of new executives, the conferment of fellowships and the recognition of outstanding contributions to the Association and the wider industry. Honours such as Best Paper, Best Exhibitor and other special awards celebrated excellence, dedication and professionalism.
The 2025 NAPE AICE was a celebration of knowledge, collaboration and progress. It reaffirmed our commitment to professional excellence and the advancement of petroleum exploration in Nigeria.
I sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed to making this conference a resounding success. Together, we will continue to build a stronger and more impactful NAPE.
Olajumoke Ajayi FNAPE
President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists