Abuja:Stakeholders in Nigeria’s petroleum industry have emphasized the need for infrastructure development, technology transfer, and human capital investment to drive growth in the midstream and downstream sectors. They shared their insights during the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Journal inaugural Summit 2026.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, themed ‘Private Sector Participation in Nigeria’s Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Sector: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward,’ provided a platform for discussions on enhancing private-sector involvement. The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, highlighted the necessity for appropriate policies, technical capacity, and stronger collaboration among government, industry, and academia to address the challenges in the sector.
Aliyu stressed that while investment and infrastructure are crucial, they are not sufficient on their own. Opportunities in refining, gas development, processing, and transportation are expanding, but require dialogue and collaboration to develop practical solutions. He also called for stronger partnerships between industry and research institutions to ensure research and innovation meet the sector’s needs.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that sustained investment in gas processing, transportation, and distribution infrastructure is essential for the initiative’s success. He underscored the importance of collaboration with private investors, financial institutions, and technology providers, while addressing infrastructure gaps, high financing costs, and regulatory challenges.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), emphasized the importance of private-sector participation for sustainable development. He noted that government reforms aim to restore investor confidence and create conditions for private investment across the oil and gas value chain. He pointed to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and modular refineries as examples of successful private-sector investment.
Sen. Eteng Williams, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), commended PTDF for its human capital development contributions. He noted the importance of the Petroleum Industry Act in encouraging private investment and urged summit participants to focus on improving investor confidence and infrastructure development.
Keynote speaker Oladapo Filani, Managing Director of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd., identified infrastructure deficits, human-capital gaps, and financing constraints as major challenges. He advocated for stronger partnerships between PTDF and private operators to address these issues and called for an integrated energy ecosystem leveraging gas for various industrial applications.
Mr. Ajilo Umar, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Training Fund/PTDF), urged the government to ensure policy stability and the National Assembly to provide sound legislation and oversight. He also highlighted the role of financial institutions in offering long-term capital to support the industry’s growth.