Nigeria Oil & Gas Outlook 2025

Nigeria's oil and gas sector is witnessing significant shifts with IOCs divesting assets and a new wave of ambitious indigenous players stepping in. This panel will explore the dynamics of these exits and entries, analyzing the opportunities and challenges for indigenous companies as they take on greater operational and financial responsibilities. Discussions will cover access to funding, technological capabilities, infrastructure development, and the long-term vision for a Nigerian-led oil and gas industry.

Focus areas:

• Analyzing the motivations behind IOC divestments and the implications for the Nigerian oil and gas landscape.
• Assessing the technical and financial capabilities of indigenous players to effectively manage and develop divested assets.
• Exploring strategies for indigenous companies to access the necessary funding (local and international) for growth and expansion.
• The role of technology transfer and capacity building in empowering indigenous operators.
• Addressing infrastructure challenges and developing solutions for efficient transportation and processing of hydrocarbons by indigenous players.
• Case studies of successful transitions of assets from IOCs to indigenous companies in Nigeria (e.g., past divestment rounds and their outcomes).
• The long-term vision for a sustainable and prosperous Nigerian oil and gas sector driven by indigenous expertise.

As the world grapples with the energy transition, Nigeria's oil and gas sector faces the critical challenge of securing funding for new projects while navigating evolving global energy demands. This panel will examine Nigeria's strategic position in the global energy mix, the types of projects attracting investment, and the innovative financing mechanisms required to fund the next cycle of oil and gas development in a responsible and sustainable manner. Discussions will also address the role of gas as a transition fuel and the need for Nigeria to remain competitive in a changing global landscape.

Focus areas:

• Nigeria's current and potential contribution to global oil and gas supply in the context of energy transition.
• Identifying the types of oil and gas projects in Nigeria that are most likely to attract future investment (e.g., gas-focused projects, deepwater developments).
• Exploring innovative financing models beyond traditional bank loans, such as green bonds (for gas-related projects), project finance, and strategic partnerships.
• Addressing investor concerns related to environmental regulations, carbon emissions, and the long-term viability of oil and gas assets.
• Strategies for Nigeria to remain a competitive and attractive destination for oil and gas investment in a decarbonizing world.
• The role of technology in reducing the carbon footprint of Nigerian oil and gas production.
• Case studies of successful funding rounds for significant oil and gas projects in Nigeria and the key factors that attracted investors.

Recognizing the vast natural gas reserves, Nigeria is increasingly focusing on gas as a crucial fuel for power generation, industrialization, and overall economic development. This panel will explore the strategies and infrastructure required to fully leverage Nigeria's gas potential. Discussions will cover the development of gas pipelines, processing facilities, power plants, and industrial gas utilization, as well as the policy and regulatory frameworks needed to create a thriving domestic gas market.

Focus areas:

• The current state of Nigeria's gas infrastructure and the investment needed to expand pipeline networks and processing capacity.
• Examining the policy and regulatory framework for gas pricing, transportation, and utilization to incentivize domestic consumption.
• Exploring the role of gas in bridging Nigeria's power deficit and ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply.
• Opportunities for gas-based industrialization, including petrochemicals, fertilizers, and other gas-intensive industries.
• The potential for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to diversify Nigeria's energy mix and reduce reliance on liquid fuels.
• Case studies of successful gas-to-power projects and industrial gas utilization initiatives in Nigeria.
• Strategies for attracting investment into midstream gas infrastructure and creating a robust domestic gas market.

Fostering local content and building indigenous capacity is crucial for the sustainable development of Nigeria's oil and gas sector. This panel will examine the progress made in implementing local content policies, the challenges faced by Nigerian businesses and the workforce, and the strategies needed to further empower local participation across the entire value chain – from exploration and production to services and manufacturing. Discussions will highlight opportunities for skills development, technology transfer, and the creation of a competitive Nigerian oil and gas ecosystem.

Focus areas:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of current local content policies and identifying areas for improvement.
• Addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian businesses in accessing financing, technology, and partnerships within the oil and gas sector.
• Strategies for enhancing skills development and training programs to build a competent Nigerian workforce for the industry.
• Promoting technology transfer and fostering innovation through local research and development initiatives.
• Creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses to participate in more complex and high-value aspects of the oil and gas value chain.
• Case studies of successful Nigerian companies that have grown and thrived within the local content framework.
• The role of government and operating companies in actively supporting the growth and competitiveness of local content providers.

Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector is undergoing significant transformation with deregulation efforts and the emergence of new players. This panel will provide a focused look at the business of Nigeria's fuel market, examining the challenges related to infrastructure, pricing, distribution, and the impact of policy changes. Discussions will also highlight the opportunities for investment in refineries, storage facilities, retail networks, and the potential for alternative fuels in the Nigerian context.

Focus areas:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of current local content policies and identifying areas for improvement.
• Addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian businesses in accessing financing, technology, and partnerships within the oil and gas sector.
• Strategies for enhancing skills development and training programs to build a competent Nigerian workforce for the industry.
• Promoting technology transfer and fostering innovation through local research and development initiatives.
• Creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses to participate in more complex and high-value aspects of the oil and gas value chain.
• Case studies of successful Nigerian companies that have grown and thrived within the local content framework.
• The role of government and operating companies in actively supporting the growth and competitiveness of local content providers.