At the recently concluded Niger Delta Oil & Gas Investment & Security Summit, held over two impactful days in Calabar, Eur Ing (Amb.) Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, a leading energy expert and youth development advocate, called for Nigeria to take bold steps toward renewable energy leadership in Africa.
Delivering a keynote address titled “The Global Energy Transition and Nigeria’s Energy Security,” Dr. Ogwus urged the government to incentivize solar and battery manufacturing, proposing a five-year tax relief for renewable energy investors. He emphasized that peaceful engagement with host communities is essential for sustainable development, noting that forceful approaches have historically failed.
“Government must encourage investment and support individuals to build solar factories,” Dr. Ogwus stated. “This measure would assist the nation in leading Africa’s energy transition by 2060.”
The summit, themed “Constructive Engagement for the Protection of Oil & Gas Assets and Supporting Institutions to Drive Implementation of Extant Laws to Deepen Local Content Realization,” brought together key stakeholders to address insecurity and underdevelopment in the region.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Benson Agadaga, emphasized the importance of intellectual engagement and community-driven development:
“It is through platforms like this summit that ideas are shared to help develop our communities and advance our environment. The laws exist, but it is up to us to bring them to life,” Akpabio declared.
He also encouraged collaborative investment in the region’s oil and gas sector, stating, “There is nothing wrong if two or three individuals or organisations come together to establish their own company and invest in the region’s oil and gas sector.”
The summit was hosted by Cross River State Governor Prince Bassey Otu and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey, with participation from:
- Senator Chief Sunday Benson Agadaga MON
- Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil & Gas Host Communities
- Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Chairman, Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft
- Rt. Hon. Obongemgem Ekparikpe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream)
- Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum
- Hon. Minister of Environment
In recognition of his impactful youth empowerment initiatives in the Niger Delta, Dr. Ogwus received a prestigious award, celebrating his role in boosting oil and gas output since January 2025.
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Abayomi Elias
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