Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called for greater collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana to tackle Africa’s shared energy challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Pavilion at the ongoing 2025 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, Lokpobiri emphasized the importance of African nations working together under the framework of the African Petroleum Producers Association (APPO) to find common solutions to energy issues on the continent.
“We cannot wait for others to solve our energy problems—we must solve them ourselves,” the Minister said. “That is why collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana, and indeed across Africa, is essential. By sharing experiences and avoiding past mistakes, we can create a more sustainable and independent energy future.”
Lokpobiri commended Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, for the country’s progress in the oil and gas sector and expressed a willingness to support Ghana with Nigeria’s industry experience.
He identified funding as a major challenge in Africa’s oil and gas sector, noting that the continent has often been at the mercy of foreign interests. However, he expressed optimism with the forthcoming launch of the African Energy Bank, a joint initiative of APPO and AFREXIMBANK, scheduled to commence operations in the third quarter of 2025.
The bank, which will begin with an initial capital of $19 billion, is expected to provide African countries with critical financial support for energy development. Lokpobiri called on African nations to invest in the initiative to reduce dependency on external financiers and boost energy security across the continent.
Earlier, Engr. Wole Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), which organized Nigeria’s participation in the OTC, thanked both the Oil and Gas Ministers and other stakeholders for their support. He highlighted PETAN’s accomplishments, especially in promoting local content in Nigeria’s energy industry.
“This year’s edition of the OTC will surpass previous ones in impact and engagement,” Ogunsanya said, also extending gratitude to government agencies and sponsors for their ongoing confidence in PETAN’s leadership.
The event also featured goodwill messages from members of the National Assembly, industry stakeholders, and dignitaries. The official opening of the Nigerian Pavilion was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is an annual global event that showcases innovations, policies, and business opportunities in the oil and gas sector, attracting energy leaders from around the world.