Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
-Felix Douglas
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has called on oil and gas companies to increase investment in the state’s hydrocarbon resources, assuring investors of a safe and enabling business environment for exploration and production activities.
Aiyedatiwa made the call while delivering his address at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attracting investment, expanding exploration and promoting sustainable development in oil-producing communities.
The Governor, who attended the conference in person for the second consecutive year, conveyed the goodwill of the government and people of Ondo State to NAPE and other industry stakeholders.
He congratulated the association’s President, Mrs. Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE, its executive committee and the conference planning team for sustaining the annual gathering and promoting geoscientific knowledge, indigenous technical capacity and the development of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking More Barrels: Driving Reserves Growth Through Exploration, Local Capabilities and Adaptive Technology,” Aiyedatiwa described the subject as timely, particularly as the global energy industry faces changing technological, environmental and energy-security demands.
He said Nigeria must remain deliberate and innovative in exploring, developing and responsibly utilising its hydrocarbon resources to achieve increased production, energy security, economic diversification and sustainable national development.
The Ondo State Governor identified improved geological intelligence, technological adaptability and commercial optimisation of petroleum assets as critical requirements for unlocking the country’s hydrocarbon potential.
Ondo State’s Oil Potential and Investment Opportunities
Aiyedatiwa described Ondo as a significant oil-producing state, noting that it ranks fifth among Nigeria’s oil-producing states.
He said his administration recognised the strategic importance of the petroleum industry to national economic growth and remained committed to unlocking the state’s hydrocarbon resources through increased exploration, strategic investments and collaboration with industry operators.
He specifically called on Seplat Energy and other oil companies to explore investment opportunities in Ondo State, stressing that the state was ready to partner with credible investors.
According to him, Ondo offers a secure environment for investment and is committed to sustaining conditions that encourage responsible upstream petroleum operations.
He added that the government would continue to promote partnerships that translate resource development into employment opportunities, economic activities and improved living standards for residents.
The Governor emphasised that the value of natural resources should go beyond production figures, export earnings and government revenue, insisting that resource exploitation must ultimately improve people’s lives, empower communities and create shared prosperity.
Host Community Development and Local Capacity
He said his administration had continued to prioritise development interventions in oil-producing communities, particularly in infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
He also stressed the importance of recognising host communities as essential partners in petroleum development, with equitable access to opportunities and meaningful participation in the benefits generated from oil and gas operations.
Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in promoting host community development, noting the importance of ensuring that resource-producing communities benefit from petroleum activities.
On local content, he called for Nigeria to move beyond being predominantly a resource-producing country towards becoming a centre of technical expertise, scientific innovation, technological advancement and industrial value creation.
He urged universities, research institutions, professional associations such as NAPE and indigenous service companies to work more closely with industry operators to strengthen local technical capabilities.
He further advocated stronger collaboration between academia and industry, improved knowledge transfer, applied research and sustainable training opportunities for young Nigerian geoscientists, engineers and other technical professionals.
The governor also urged stakeholders to adopt a practical approach to the global energy transition, noting that the shift towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems must take into consideration the developmental needs and economic realities of emerging economies such as Nigeria.
He encouraged delegates to ensure that discussions and technical recommendations from the conference translate into practical solutions, fresh investments, accelerated reserves growth, improved operational efficiency and increased indigenous participation.
According to him, the outcomes should also create sustainable opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian energy professionals.
Reaffirming Ondo State’s readiness to attract investments, Aiyedatiwa said the government remained open to credible partnerships with NAPE, petroleum operators, investors, research institutions and other stakeholders committed to responsible resource development.
He concluded by appreciating NAPE for its contributions to Nigeria’s petroleum industry and wished participants fruitful deliberations and a successful conference.
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