NIES 2026:Nigeria Seeks Global Energy Partnerships as Eteng Williams Pushes PIA Implementation
By Ekanem Asuquo
Nigeria has renewed its call for deeper collaboration with African nations, global partners, and the private sector to achieve cleaner, affordable, and secure energy, as stakeholders converged on Abuja for the ninth Nigeria International Energy Summit 2026.
The summit, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The Nigeria International Energy Summit is the official energy event of the Federal Government and serves as Africa’s leading platform for energy policy dialogue, investment promotion, and innovation.
In his opening remarks, Vice President Shettima said energy remains central to peace, prosperity, and global stability, describing it as a vital force that sustains economies, unites communities, and underpins modern societies.
“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,” he said.
The Vice President stated that Nigeria stands ready to work with African countries, international partners, and the private sector to deliver energy that is secure, affordable, cleaner, and inclusive. He explained that although the administration inherited an energy sector challenged by inefficiencies and underinvestment, decisive reforms have been introduced to reposition the sector as a catalyst for national security, industrial growth, and regional cooperation.
Shettima noted that sustained implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act has strengthened regulatory institutions, improved transparency, and restored investor confidence. According to him, Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector has recorded a strong rebound, with rig counts rising significantly and Final Investment Decisions exceeding eight billion dollars secured in recent years. He added that crude oil theft has declined due to improved security coordination, surveillance, and regulatory enforcement.
On energy transition, the Vice President said Nigeria is prioritising the use of its vast natural gas reserves as a transition fuel while expanding renewable energy capacity to support sustainable development.
Also speaking at the summit, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Senator Eteng Williams, representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, urged the full and effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act to further strengthen investor confidence and drive sustainable growth in the upstream sector.
Senator Williams described the Act as a critical reform framework capable of repositioning Nigeria’s oil and gas industry if consistently applied. He stressed the need for strong, transparent, and predictable regulatory institutions to attract long term and sustainable investments.
The 2026 edition of the summit, themed “Energy for Peace and Progress Securing Our Shared Future,” attracted heads of delegation and senior government officials from across the world, leaders of international energy organisations, chief executives of global and indigenous energy companies, development finance institutions, and representatives of host communities.
Other dignitaries at the event included President Adama Barrow of The Gambia, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, and leaders of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group.
Participants at the summit emphasised regional cooperation, value addition, policy reforms, and strategic partnerships as key to Africa’s energy security and economic growth, while urging investors to engage confidently with Nigeria’s evolving energy sector.
