Federal Govt Seeks Private Sector Involvement For World-class Energy Centre

The federal government has urged private organisations’ buy-in to the plan to build a world-class Energy Centre where the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) and other global events would be hosted to bring the rest of the world to the country.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Dr Heineken Lokpobiri, announced this at the close of the NIES 2026 on Thursday in Abuja.

Lokpobriri also announced that land has been secured for the global event centre, and that the construction would begin under the current administration.

While stating that the government has no money to finance the construction of the ultra-modern event centre, the minister said those setting up industries in Nigeria would have the money to finance it.

“This year’s conference, 2026 edition saw more quality people attending than I have seen in any conference in the world. Any time I go to a global event in America, if I go OTC, Cape Town,Ghana, and Europe, I see so many Nigerian companies attending.

“If you go to OTC, the exhibitions are more of Nigerian companies. So, I want to leave this with the industry. It is now time we build a world-class energy centre, so that we can bring the rest of the world to Nigeria.

“And I think it’s doable. Government doesn’t have the money to do it, but you setting up industries have the money to do it.

“When you go to Houston you spend plenty of money acquiring a small space.And sometimes, the space that a Nigerian company acquires is very large. So, wehave been thinking that it is better we build a global event centre where wewill have five-star hotels, shops, everything, so that we can bring the world to Nigeria.

“We’ll start it during my time. And becausewe have been thinking about it, we have already gotten a land for it. Very soon we will approach the industry and lay our plans to you. You own it and manage it. You get world-class managers to run it. So, that event centre will self-sustain, and will be well maintained in line with global best practice.”

Earlier, in her closing remarks, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the energy sector transformation.

She noted that the President’s steadfast support continues to provide the strategic direction needed to reinforce Nigeria’s position as a pivotal force in Africa and global energy dialogue.

Oyekunle also extended her appreciation to the Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President of the Republic of the Gambia, H.E, Adama Barrow, and the President of the Equatorial Guinea, H.E, Teodoro Obiang Mbasongo for their immense support.

She said over the past four days, the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) has once again proven to be a premier platform for cross-sector engagement where policymakers, investors, industry leaders, innovators and development experts have come together to advance the nation’senergy agenda.

“Our deliberations have been rich in substance, visionary inoutlook, and pragmatic in orientation. We have explored strategic pathways toenergy security, affordable and inclusive access. The transition to a clean erenergy system and the effective utilization of our abandoned resources to stimulate industrial growth and social advancement,” she noted.

According to her, the central takeaway from the Summit was the strong convergence around innovation, investment and collaboration. Adding that the partnership initiated, the commitment announced and the policy perspective shared would undoubtedly shape the next chapter of sectoral growth.