Port Harcourt has been officially recognised as ‘Nigeria’s Premier Energy City’ by the Society of Energy Editors, a recognition that highlights the city’s oil and gas legacy, its ambition to lead Africa’s energy future and its role in the nation’s economy.
The ceremony, held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, brought together policymakers, academics, and energy stakeholders in what has been described as a historic recognition of the city’s central role in Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
Representing the Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fostering an environment where investments can thrive.
He pledged robust security, fiscal discipline, and investor-friendly policies to encourage capital inflow across gas, crude refining, and petrochemicals.
“Port Harcourt is Nigeria’s energy heritage and the cradle of the nation’s industrial dreams. From the discovery of oil in Oloibiri to the establishment of refineries and petrochemical complexes, Rivers State has carried the weight and promise of Nigeria’s prosperity.”
This investiture affirms our history, but it does more. It challenges us to go further. Port Harcourt is not just Nigeria’s energy capital—it is destined to become the energy capital of Africa,” he stated.
He further explained that the state’s five-pillar plan for achieving this goal would prioritise energy diversification into renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro alongside oil and gas, strengthen local content to ensure Rivers people participate across the value chain, develop infrastructure to position Port Harcourt as a regional hub, safeguard the environment for sustainable growth, and pursue global reintegration by re-enlisting into the World Energy Cities Programme (WECP) while hosting a yearly international energy conference and exhibition.
A key outcome of the event was the announcement of a forthcoming Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the state government and the Society of Energy Editors. According to the Society’s Chairman, Malam Yakubu Lawal, the partnership will open doors to international investment, boost the city’s global profile, and create an annual platform to showcase Port Harcourt alongside 15 other globally recognised energy cities.
