Ministers, industry leaders to address investment opportunities in oil, gas at 2024 PNC Forum

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim; Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert and Lead Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo; and Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kolo Kyari, are set to discuss advancing Nigerian content implementation, addressing industry challenges, and capitalising on emerging opportunities at the 2024 Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum.

The four-day event, scheduled for December 2 to 5, 2024, at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is expected to attract over 750 delegates, including 50 industry experts, policymakers, and regulators from across the globe.

The event will include the unveiling of new Contracting Cycle Guidelines by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to drive investment and innovation in the country’s oil and gas sector.

The forum will also feature 20 distinguished speakers presenting across six high-level sessions, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Investment, Patience Ranami Abah; and Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe.

Others include the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, and senior executives from leading organizations such as Chevron Nigeria, TotalEnergies Nigeria, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), PETAN, shipping companies, and Nigeria LNG Limited, who will also share insights.

The Portfolio Director – Africa & Country Director – Nigeria at dmg Nigeria Events, Wemimo Oyelana, described this year’s forum as arriving at a pivotal time for Nigeria’s energy sector, with transformative projects and significant investments ushering in a new era for the industry.

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She stated that the event would serve as a platform for stakeholders to review the successes of Nigerian content initiatives, explore challenges, and chart strategies for enhancing indigenous capacity.

Oyelana emphasised that discussions would focus on critical themes such as divestment opportunities, decarbonisation, and the growing importance of offshore operations.

She further noted that the event underscores President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to creating a more attractive investment climate in the oil and gas industry.

She stated that the introduction of the new Contracting Cycle Guidelines is a significant step toward improving efficiency and encouraging broader participation by local and international investors.

According to her, the forum will also provide a prime opportunity for industry stakeholders to engage in essential discussions to strengthen Nigerian content, meet rising energy demands, and maximise the potential of the country’s substantial oil and gas resources.