Victor EzejaLeaders from the public and commercial sectors have gathered at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja for an inaugural Petroleum Industry Leadership Dialogue, organised by Heirs Energies, an indigenous integrated energy firm, with the goal of accelerating Nigeria’s output development.
CEO of Heirs Energies, Osayande Igiehon, moderated the forum convened by Heirs Holdings the parent company of Heirs Energies.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAmong the prominent stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry that featured in the event are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; Chief Executive, Nigeria UPstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe; Chairman, OPEC Board of Governors and CEO, First E&P, Adewale Adeyemo-Bero; Executive Vice-President Upstream, NNPC Limited, Udobong Ntia and CEO of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown.
The Dialogue offered a timely platform for the public and commercial sectors to continue their fruitful collaboration, which has already resulted in a 25% increase in Nigeria’s crude production since May 2023, given the country’s ambitious production plans and new administration.
Speakers highlighted how a series of Presidential Executive Orders had radically reshaped the operating environment and catalysed industry growth.
It was highlighted that the successful indigenisation initiative has brought about a bold new chapter in Nigeria’s natural resources history, with indigenous oil and gas businesses now accounting for over 60% of the country’s crude output.
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Speaking at the Forum, Tony Elumelu, Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings and Chairman of Heirs Energies, commended the Federal Government for its roles so far in revamping the oil and gas sector.
Mr Elumelu highlighted Heirs Holdings’ vision of transforming Africa’s energy landscape, through indigenous leadership and sustainable development.
Established four years ago, Heirs Energies has rapidly grown its production from 21,000 to over 50,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbon.
While welcoming guests from the public and private sectors, M.r Elumelu noted with delight, the spirit of collaboration that underscored the successful indigenisation
He said: “Production growth, ambitious and sustained, is our shared national mission. I am honoured that Heirs Energies is bringing together distinguished peers from the industry and our partners in government.
“As an investor not just in resources, but in Nigeria’s power production and distribution sectors, all of us, need to come together to ensure Nigerians get the benefits of our resources. As we build Africa’s largest integrated energy business, innovation and collaboration are central to our execution”.
The dialogue affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to increasing production while maintaining environmental responsibility and leveraging gas as a transition fuel.
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On his part, Lokpobiri, commended Heirs Energies for hosting the inaugural event, adding that it has provided a veritable “platform for meaningful industry engagement.”
The Minister stated that Nigeria’s oil production had reached 1.8 million barrels per day in January 2025 and set an ambitious target of 2.5 million barrels per day for 2025. He also reaffirmed the administration’s “drill or drop” policy to accelerate production growth.
The Petroleum Industry Leadership Dialogue, which will become an annual event, brought together key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, including MD of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbor; Managing Director of Aradel Holdings, Adegbite Falade and industry veteran and founder of Platform Petroleum & Managing Director A.A Holdings, Austin Avuru, among others.
NUPRC Chief Executive, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, empahsised the need for dialogue in advancing the sector’s objectives, “I thank Heirs Energies for this beautiful initiative of putting together the Petroleum Industry Leadership Dialogue as a commitment to achieving our national objective in the upstream sector.” He highlighted the surge in active drilling rigs to 38, with projections to reach 50 by March 2025.
OPEC Board of Governors Chairman for Nigeria and CEO, First E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, commended the forum’s timing, noting “It’s apt. It’s early in the year and it’s about how we grow production. That’s why you see all of us participating.” He shared how indigenous operators have successfully increased production, citing his company’s achievement of 57,000 barrels per day from previously untapped fields.
Heirs Energies CEO, Osa Igiehon, reinforced this perspective, showcasing Heirs Energies’ impact in Nigeria’s onshore sector. “Our success at Heirs Energies demonstrates what’s possible in Nigeria’s onshore sector, through our Brownfield Excellence Strategy, robust security measures, and genuine community partnership,” he said. “By tripling our producing wells to over 100, we’ve shown how indigenous operators can efficiently unlock value while ensuring sustainable development of host communities.”
The Petroleum Industry Leadership Dialogue also exemplified Heirs Energies’ commitment to Mr Elumelu’s Africapitalism, the private sector’s transformative role in driving Africa’s economic and social development through strategic, long-term investments hinged on partnership and collaboration.
Heirs Energies Limited is Africa’s leading indigenous-owned integrated energy company, committed to meeting Africa’s unique energy needs while aligning with global sustainability goals. With a strong focus on innovation, environmental responsibility, and community development, Heirs Energies leads in the evolving energy landscape and contributes to a more prosperous Africa. Heirs Energies is a key implementor of Heirs Holdings’ integrated energy strategy, Africa’s largest integrated energy business, whose objective is to ensure Africans benefit directly from their continent’s resources.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
