Johnbosco Uche, President of NAPE
…These will drive Nigeria’s ambition of meeting national 2030 production targets.
-Felix Douglas
The President of Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Johnbosco Uche, was elated to be serving as President of the association as it celebrated its 50th anniversary of existence.
In his words “At this pivotal moment is not only a privilege but a deep personal honour.”
The NAPE President spoke at the celebration of Golden Jubilee of the association in Lagos.
Founded in August 1975 by ten pioneering professionals, NAPE has grown into the largest community of petroleum geoscientists and related disciplines in Nigeria and across Africa.
“Today, we are more than an association, a movement of knowledge, innovation, and impact. We proudly refer to ourselves as the knowledge hub of the industry and our ideas find oil and gas.”
Uche added that NAPE’s journey has been 50 years of impact and in the past five decades, the association has been instrumental to every chapter of Nigeria’s oil and gas story. From the formation of indigenous E&P companies to game changing policy advocacy, NAPE influence has been both deep and wide.
The NAPE President said the association advocated for marginal field bid framework which spawned a new generation of indigenous operators. Its members have been involved in nearly every hydrocarbon discovery across the Niger Delta and beyond.
Through the association’s University Assistance Program, it has uplifted students, empowered lecturers, and strengthened petroleum education across the country. NAPE has taken Nigeria’s geoscience story to global platforms, showcasing the vast potential of Nigeria basins to the world.
NAPE annual conference communiqué continues to proffer solutions and ideas to improve the policies and operations of oil and gas Industry in Nigeria.
“Indeed, what began with 10 men has evolved into a generational legacy of excellence.”
He said the next 50 years is a call to leadership and innovation.
The NAPE President said as the industry reflects, professionals must also redefine the future.
I have consistently used the phrase “the future is now” because I believe that we hold the tools to actualize our future dreams.
Uche maintained that the energy world is shifting. The pressure of climate change, realities of energy security and demands of a growing, urbanized population are forcing a rethink of how industry operators will explore and produce energy.
“Nigeria sits on a wealth of untapped potential, especially in natural gas, now universally recognised as a key transition fuel. We have over 600 tcf of yet-to-be-discovered gas in the Nigeria’s sedimentary basins and this represents an enormous opportunity and strategic pathway to industrialization, energy security, and cleaner growth. Gas exploration must become intentional, and this is the era to look deeper and smarter”.
According to NAPE President, the country has un-appraised, partially appraised, and near field exploration oil growth opportunities that needs to be evaluated, developed and produced in a sustainable manner.
“I call on government to work closely with us, providing the fiscal and regulatory incentives that will enable industry players to explore, discover, and produce this oil and gas efficiently.
“We must also return to the basics of exploration: quality data (through seismic acquisition), bold ideas, and collaborative innovation. We must go back to the un-appraised discoveries, unlock stranded value, and increase our reserve replacement ratio. We would then need to adopt digital transformation, machine learning, artificial Intelligence, and apply them to our rich database for impactful result. All these will drive our ambition of meeting the national 2030 production targets.”
Looking at ahead and securing the country’s future, human capital and the next generation, the NAPE President of the view that workforce in industry is aging, yet companies still often go to market for experienced hires.
But who will train them? Every experienced professional was once a young graduate.
Uche added that the time has come to systematize internships, sabbaticals, and mentorship programs across the petroleum sector. Oil companies must invest in young professionals, equip, mentor and create pathways for talent development. “Human capital is our most precious reservoir, and it must be developed.”
The President of NAPE advocated for establishment of new centres of excellence for petroleum studies, one in the north and one in the south, to serve as hubs for training, research, and innovation.
On shaping the nation’s policy, celebrating excellence, and honouring legacy, the NAPE President said as the industry steps into the next 50 years, the association must be at the centre of energy policy formulation in Nigeria. This must start from the National Assembly to the executive and regulators to agencies.
“We must take our seat at the table, and we must be drivers of strategy and vision in energy sector. We are not just professionals; we are equally nation-builders. We hold the engine of the Nigerian economy because we are explorers.”
The President of NAPE advised members, senior professionals, fellows, and past presidents to step forward with commitment, innovation and the same courage its founding members had in 1975.
“Your leadership, mentorship, and active participation are crucial to driving NAPE’s ambition into the next 50 years.”
He told the government and industry to collaborate intentionally in order to unlock future energy potential.
Uche made the young professionals to know that the industry is counting on them that their ideas will find the next billion barrels for the country.
He told the media to engage the oil and gas industry in deeper partnership. Also engage stakeholders and publish data by telling the truth.
Nigeria needs clear, informed energy communication and the media is key partners in this project.
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