YENAGOA — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has warned that the fate of Africa’s local content drive hinges on Nigeria’s success. “If local content fails in Nigeria, the whole African content will fail,” he declared at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Bayelsa on Wednesday.

Delivering a rousing keynote at the flagship energy forum, Lokpobiri positioned Nigeria as the continent’s cornerstone for indigenous oil and gas growth. “This is not just a statement; it is a call to action—to rethink how we produce, partner, and build,” he said, challenging stakeholders to shift from rhetoric to results.

From Targets to Tangible Impact

Anchoring his remarks on the fair’s theme — “Driving Investment and Production Growth: Shaping a Sustainable Oil and Gas Industry through Indigenous Capacity Development” — the Minister said the agenda captures a threefold national mission: attract capital, increase production, and deepen Nigerian expertise.

“We are not begging for investment,” he stated boldly. “We are offering bankable, de-risked, and sustainable opportunities in Africa’s most dynamic energy landscape.”

Lokpobiri, who also chairs the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), emphasised that the Board has moved beyond abstract goals. “Indigenous companies are now maintaining FPSOs, building marine vessels, managing upstream assets, and delivering at global safety and service benchmarks,” he noted.

Bankable Projects, Localised Opportunities

The Minister described NOGOF as more than a conference — it’s an execution platform. “The opportunities showcased here are real, vetted, and ready. Every project has a local content dimension — a promise to create jobs, build skills, and retain value,” he said.

He urged contractors and financiers to seal deals, not just shake hands. “Let this NOGOF spark MOUs, partnerships, and investments that rewrite the future of our oil and gas industry.”

Unlocking Growth Through Financial Tools

Highlighting funding as a key driver, Lokpobiri spotlighted the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund), managed in partnership with the Bank of Industry. “We’ve disbursed hundreds of millions of dollars to local players at single-digit interest rates. This isn’t just support—it’s a lifeline,” he said.

He also praised Project 100, an initiative grooming high-potential indigenous firms to become globally competitive. “The progress is measurable. The ambition is scalable,” he said.

Young Talent, Urgent Mandate

Turning to the next generation, Lokpobiri delivered a powerful message: “You are not the future—you are the now.” He called on youth-led startups, female fabrication companies, and young engineers to step forward. “There is space for you at the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas revolution.”

He closed with a rallying cry: “The time for excuses is over. The time for bold decisions is now. Let NOGOF 2025 be remembered not for speeches, but for action. Not for promises, but for partnerships. And not for visions, but for ventures.”