By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Nigerian independent, Seplat Energy PLC, has argued that to build a prosperous Nigeria, the country must target an affordable, reliable and accessible energy regime for all.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO), Seplat Energy, Samson Ezugworie, was quoted to have said this whilst giving a keynote at the Opening Ceremony of the 43rdNigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference & Exhibition held in Lagos.
Mr Ezugworie, who spoke on the conference theme: ‘Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production: Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development’, said: “The imperative before us is clear. We must build a prosperous Nigeria, and we can only do that with affordable and reliable energy that is accessible to all.”
He noted that currently, over 70 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity. More than 170 million rely on biomass for cooking and that’s terrible for the environment and for our households.
With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 237 million by 2025 and 400 million by 2050, the urgency to act is undeniable, because today’s problems will become far worse if we don’t take actions now to solve them.
This means there will be 160 million more people to feed and house, and we need to create 100 million new jobs.
The imperative before us is clear. We must build a prosperous Nigeria, and we can only do that with affordable and reliable energy that is accessible to all.
To meet these challenges, he said that Nigeria must increase oil production — not just to boost national revenues and reduce current shortfall so our government can meet its budgetary needs, but also to drive GDP growth that reinforces the country’s position as the economic powerhouse of the African continent.
He said: “We must also harness our huge reserves of gas and scale up gas and NGL production to expand domestic energy access, displace polluting imported generators, provide clean cooking for our people, and power our basic industries to support our national growth.
“The global energy landscape is shifting, and so too is our own. We are witnessing a transition in the ownership and operation of Nigeria’s vast natural resources as assets pass from well-funded, well-resourced international giants to local Nigerian operators, blessed with enthusiasm and expertise but less global in their outlook.
It’s a shift that creates new capital dynamics in our need to raise international finance, while at the same time increasing our focus on managing risks and looking after our natural environment.
“But with these challenges come opportunities: opportunities to harness and enhance local knowledge, build resilient partnerships with our industry partners, and with our host communities, and most of all, build an industry that is owned and managed by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
On the company’s gas business, he said Seplat Energy was close to delivering first gas from its joint venture ANOH Gas Processing Plant, and “we’ve also recently delivered our first cargoes of LPG from the newly upgraded Sapele Gas Plant, and I’m pleased to report that we’re well on track to ending routine flaring in our onshore operations, enabling us to reduce emissions, capture gas and monetise it, which is a win-win for Seplat, for the environment and for our communities.
“Our progress on gas initiatives like ANOH, Sapele, and LPG shipments is a testament to our commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity. These projects are not just about energy; they are about transforming lives and powering Nigeria’s development.”
