Nigeria’s Oil And Gas Sector Growth Requires Sustainable Reforms, Digitization – CPPE
By Naija Enquirer Staff
For Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to achieve sustainable growth and attract meaningful investment, the government must prioritise fiscal reforms and discipline, according to Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE).
Call for Bold Reforms
Yusuf made this call while presenting a paper at the 2025 Annual Public Lecture of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel,
in Lagos. The lecture, covered by Naija Enquirer, was themed Transforming Energy: The Digital Evolution of Oil and Gas
.
In his presentation, titled Unlocking the Potential of Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Sector and Promoting Digital Transformation
, Yusuf emphasised the need for coherent policies,
strong institutions, and decisive leadership to restore investor confidence, increase production, diversify revenue sources, and create jobs.
Digitalisation as a Game-Changer
Yusuf stressed that digitalisation is no longer optional in the global energy sector, but a prerequisite for competitiveness. He highlighted Nigeria’s persistent challenges, including infrastructure deficits, opaque contract management, slow regulatory approvals, poor asset data quality, and governance concerns.
“Global capital providers now demand robust digital systems and transparent ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting as preconditions for financing,” he warned.
Implementation of the PIA
The CPPE chief also urged the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to restore investor confidence in the sector. He recommended harmonising taxes and levies across federal, state, and local governments to reduce the cost of doing business.
Security and Energy Transition
On security, Yusuf called for the deployment of drones, sensors, and satellite surveillance to protect vital oil and gas assets from theft and vandalism. He noted that Nigeria loses between 200,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to such criminal activities, describing it as “unsustainable.”
He further warned that underinvestment in exploration and reserve growth threatens Nigeria’s long-term production capacity, urging urgent upstream and downstream reforms alongside a clear energy transition roadmap.
The Stakes for Nigeria
“The oil and gas sector still holds vast potential,” Yusuf concluded. “But only coherent policies, strong institutions, and bold leadership can turn that potential into sustainable development for Nigeria and its people.”