Aiyedatiwa showcases Ondo’s potentials in oil, gas, bitumen exploration at NAPE conference

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has called for homegrown solutions to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products and lower fuel costs for domestic consumption.

He made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) held in Lagos, where he was the Special Guest of Honour.

Aiyedatiwa noted that the oil and gas sector has remained a major contributor to Nigeria’s revenue for over seven decades, funding capital projects and infrastructural development nationwide. He stressed the need for a balanced energy mix that includes renewable sources as the nation diversifies its economy beyond oil.

Highlighting Ondo State’s growing contribution to national energy security, the governor disclosed that the state ranks fifth among hydrocarbon-producing states with an output of about 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. He added that Ondo also hosts the largest deposit of bitumen in Nigeria and the second-largest in the world, which remains largely untapped.

Aiyedatiwa recalled that his administration signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement in July 2025 with Backbone Infrastructure Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to establish a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Ilaje Local Government Area. He said the project would boost domestic refining capacity, create jobs, and support the Federal Government’s energy sufficiency drive.

The governor commended NAPE for fostering a strong community of explorationists and geoscientists driving innovation in the energy sector. He also congratulated the incoming NAPE President, Mrs. Olajumoke Ajayi, an indigene of Ondo State, and wished her a successful and impactful tenure.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritized reforms and investments in the energy sector. Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen, said the government has strengthened exploration and investment partnerships with countries leading in oil and gas development.

Earlier, NAPE President, Mr. Johnbosco Uche, described the conference — themed “Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development” — as a platform for exchanging ideas and innovations to shape the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.