Engr. Francis Nwaochei, SPE Council Chair
…SPE advances technical knowledge, professional excellence, innovation and the development
-Felix Douglas
At the Opening Ceremony of the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Council Chair, Engr. Francis Nwaochei, stated that SPE remains the world’s largest individual-member professional society serving the upstream and broader energy industry. Globally, SPE continues to advance technical knowledge, professional excellence, innovation, and the development of the next generation of energy leaders.
Nwaochei noted that in Nigeria, SPE Nigeria Council is one of the Society’s most vibrant councils, with more than 17,000 members, including student members, across six Sections: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin, Abuja and Uyo; and supported by over 50 active student chapters nationwide.
For nearly five decades, NAICE has been the flagship technical event of SPE Nigeria Council and one of Africa’s foremost platforms for executive dialogue, policy engagement, technology showcase, investment promotion, professional development and strategic collaboration. It is where ideas are challenged, solutions are shaped, partnerships are formed, and the future of our industry is discussed with clarity and purpose.
He said across the world, energy systems are being reshaped by the urgent need for energy security, affordability, sustainability, digital transformation, decarbonization, artificial intelligence, automation, operational efficiency, and responsible resource development. Countries and companies are being asked to do more: to supply reliable energy today, reduce emissions, attract capital, deploy technology, and prepare for a lower-carbon future.
For Nigeria, this evolving landscape presents both significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities. We have abundant hydrocarbon resources, a growing gas economy, resilient indigenous operators, world-class professionals, an expanding technology ecosystem, and a policy environment that is increasingly focused on restoring confidence and unlocking investment.
The SPE Chair was of the view that recent developments show that the industry is not standing still.
He spoke on the conclusion of recent licensing and bid rounds, including the 2025 Licensing Round in which 31 companies emerged winners for 37 oil and gas blocks, signals renewed investor interest and a more transparent competitive process.
The Decade of Gas initiative continues to position natural gas as the bridge to industrialization, power reliability, cleaner energy access, and economic diversification. The Federal Government’s plan to settle verified arrears owed to generation companies and gas suppliers through a ₦4 trillion government-backed bond is another important step toward restoring liquidity, confidence and bankability across the power and gas value chain.
He spoke on the theme of the conference: “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience.”
This theme is more than a conference slogan; it is a call to action and, perhaps more importantly, a timely reflection of the moment we are in.
The reforms, investments, regulatory actions and industry commitments we are witnessing today can be seen as the beginning of what this theme speaks to: resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt without losing direction; to confront disruption with innovation; to respond to uncertainty with collaboration; and to convert challenges into new pathways for growth.
For Nigeria, resilience means increasing production responsibly, commercializing gas at scale, improving the ease of doing business, strengthening regulatory coordination, deepening local content, attracting long-term capital, and ensuring that the energy industry continues to create value for the economy and society.
Nwaochei submitted that NAICE 2026 has been carefully curated to deliver one of the most comprehensive technical programs in the conference’s history.
Over the next three days, participants will engage in high-quality technical paper presentations, executive panel discussions, topical issues workshops, the Young Professionals Workshop, a Career Fair for emerging leaders, the Women Leadership Program, innovation commercialization and pitch sessions, a technology showcase, a world-class exhibition, and extensive networking and business engagement opportunities.
The SPE Chair appreciated sponsors, exhibitors, corporate partners, government agencies, regulatory institutions, development partners and industry stakeholders.
He also acknowledged contributions of SPE International leadership, the SPE Africa Region, the SPE Nigeria Council Board of Trustees Chair and members, our Past Council Chairpersons, Section leadership, the Conference Planning Committee, Sub-Committee Chairs and members, technical paper reviewers, authors, speakers, volunteers, Secretariat staff, and everyone whose dedication has made this conference possible.
He encouraged young professionals and students to maximize every opportunity this conference offers. Ask questions, participate actively, seek mentors, build lasting professional relationships, explore emerging technologies, and prepare yourselves to become the leaders who will shape the future of the industry.
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