President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said Nigeria is ready to collaborate with African nations, global partners, and the private sector to deliver cleaner, affordable, inclusive, and more secure energy.
He said energy plays a critical role as the invisible force holding the modern world together, as well as the quiet architecture of balance among nations, and as the unseen hand that steadies economies and sustains societies.
The President stated this when he declared open the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. The summit was attended by heads of delegation and senior government officials from across the globe, as well as leaders of international energy organisations, chief executives of global and indigenous energy companies, development finance institutions, and representatives of host communities.
Tinubu, who was represented at the summit by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, observed that while energy remains central to peace, prosperity, and global stability, Nigeria is focusing heavily on utilising its vast gas reserves as a transition fuel and expanding renewable energy capacity.
“Energy must unite communities, stabilise economies, and secure futures. It must power factories, illuminate homes, fuel innovation, and build trust between government, investors, and citizens. Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with Africa, global partners, and the private sector to deliver energy that is secure, affordable, cleaner, and inclusive,” he declared.
The President recalled that even though his administration inherited an energy sector that was rich in potential in 2023, the sector was “constrained by inefficiencies, uncertainty, and prolonged underinvestment.”
“We set to work without fanfare, guided by the clear understanding that energy cannot be treated simply as an economic commodity if stability is our goal.
“Energy is a catalyst for national security, industrial growth, social inclusion, and regional cooperation,” he noted.
Tinubu assured that his government was fully committed to “building an energy system that delivers reliability, transparency, sustainability, and shared prosperity.”
Outlining efforts by his administration to boost the energy sector, the President said his administration sustained and deepened the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, consolidating its role as the linchpin of sector reform and strengthening regulatory institutions to ensure clarity of roles, transparency, and investor confidence.
He continued: “Under our watch, Nigeria’s upstream activity recorded a historic rebound. Rig counts rose from eight rigs in 2021 to 69 rigs by late 2025, reflecting renewed exploration and drilling momentum.
“The sector secured Final Investment Decisions exceeding $8bn, including major offshore gas developments involving global energy companies. Foreign direct investment into the oil and gas subsector rebounded strongly, driven by regulatory certainty, fiscal reforms, and improved operating conditions.”
Under his watch, Tinubu said crude oil theft, which had been a major constraint on production and revenue, declined significantly due to enhanced security coordination, surveillance, and regulatory enforcement, adding that the efforts paid off, restoring operational stability and improving Nigeria’s production reliability in international markets.
Earlier, Gambian President Adama Barrow observed that Nigeria’s policies have implications far beyond its borders, noting that working together through strategic partnerships is key to regional solutions and energy security.
President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, maintained that Africa must cease to be merely an exporter of raw materials and focus on processing them for the betterment of future generations.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in a speech that was read on his behalf, averred that in Africa, energy is not just about resources but about inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
He assured that the National Assembly is ready to work with relevant stakeholders through legislative backing, agreeing that when the energy system works, the economy grows more resilient.
