Four years after the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), key players in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are set to converge for a critical dialogue on the performance and future of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs), amid growing concerns from host communities about the pace and effectiveness of implementation.

The roundtable, convened by First Fiduciary Limited in partnership with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), is scheduled to be held on July 16, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Themed: “Four Years After the Petroleum Industry Act: Rethinking the Experience, Restating the Future,” the event will bring together regulators, upstream operators, trust board members, legal professionals, and community leaders to assess progress and chart a more inclusive path for sustainable development in oil-producing areas.

Despite the rollout of HCDTs, including board formations and fund allocations, host communities continue to express dissatisfaction over the tangible benefits of the initiative. Some trusts have made strides by aligning with local needs and forming lasting partnerships, but others remain hampered by procedural delays, limited engagement, and a lack of visible results.

As discussions progress in the House of Representatives on a bill to increase HCDT contributions, stakeholders are asking whether the real issue lies in the quantum of funds or the quality of execution.

Managing Director of First Fiduciary Limited, Oyeyemi Oke, noted that while the industry has become adept at setting up the Trusts, achieving real impact requires a shift in approach.

“Operational excellence in trust administration demands more than compliance. It requires strategic partnerships aligned with both development goals and business sustainability,” Oke said, adding that the roundtable will dissect why certain models are working and others are not.