NAICE 2026 opens with call for collaboration, innovation to drive Nigeria’s energy future

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The Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, Francis Nwaochei, has called on stakeholders across Nigeria’s energy industry to deepen collaboration, embrace innovation and develop practical solutions that will strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the evolving global energy landscape.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026) in Lagos on Monday, August 3, 2026, Nwaochei said the country’s future would depend not only on its abundant hydrocarbon resources but on the quality of technical solutions, leadership, policies and partnerships that drive sustainable growth.

Welcoming delegates from across Nigeria and around the world, the SPE Nigeria Council Chairman described this year’s conference as a timely gathering at a period of significant transformation in the global energy industry.

“Our presence here today is a strong statement of confidence in our industry and a demonstration of our shared commitment to technical excellence, collaboration, people development, innovation and sustainable energy growth,” he said.

Held under the theme, “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” the conference brings together government officials, regulators, industry leaders, investors, researchers, academics, service providers, young professionals and students to deliberate on the future of Nigeria’s energy sector.

Nwaochei noted that energy systems worldwide are being reshaped by the growing demand for energy security, affordability, sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, automation and responsible resource development.

According to him, while countries and companies are under increasing pressure to deliver reliable energy and reduce emissions, Nigeria is well positioned to seize emerging opportunities through its abundant hydrocarbon resources, expanding gas economy, resilient indigenous operators and highly skilled workforce.

He pointed to recent reforms and policy initiatives as evidence of renewed momentum within the sector.

Among these, he highlighted the successful conclusion of the 2025 oil and gas licensing round, in which 31 companies secured 37 oil and gas blocks, describing the exercise as a sign of increasing investor confidence and transparency in the country’s petroleum industry.

He also cited the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative as a strategic programme aimed at accelerating industrialisation, improving electricity supply and expanding cleaner energy access, while commending plans to restore liquidity across the power and gas value chain through the settlement of verified debts owed to electricity generation companies and gas suppliers.

According to the SPE Chairman, these developments reflect a coordinated national effort to improve regulatory efficiency, attract investment, expand gas utilisation and increase Nigeria’s oil production capacity towards three million barrels per day by 2030.

Describing the conference theme as more than a slogan, Nwaochei said resilience must become the defining characteristic of Nigeria’s energy industry.

“Resilience is the ability to adapt without losing direction; to confront disruption with innovation; to respond to uncertainty with collaboration; and to convert challenges into new pathways for growth,” he said.

He stressed that for Nigeria, resilience means responsibly increasing oil production, commercialising natural gas at scale, improving the ease of doing business, strengthening regulatory coordination, deepening local content and attracting long-term investment into the sector.

He urged participants to ensure that discussions during the three-day conference move beyond identifying industry challenges to producing practical and implementable solutions capable of positioning Nigeria as a globally competitive energy destination.

Nwaochei said NAICE 2026 features one of the most comprehensive technical programmes in the conference’s history, with technical paper presentations, executive panel sessions, topical workshops, innovation and technology showcases, career development programmes, women leadership initiatives, exhibitions and extensive networking opportunities.

He commended the conference sponsors, exhibitors, corporate partners, government agencies, regulators, development partners and volunteers for their support, describing their contributions as investments in knowledge, innovation, technology advancement and human capital development.

Special recognition was also given to the leadership of SPE International, the SPE Africa Region, the SPE Nigeria Council Board of Trustees, past council chairmen, conference planning committees, technical paper reviewers, speakers, authors and volunteers for their efforts in delivering the conference.

Addressing young professionals and students, Nwaochei encouraged them to take full advantage of the learning and networking opportunities available throughout the conference by engaging actively, seeking mentors and exploring emerging technologies that will shape the future of the energy industry.

Looking ahead, he announced that the 50th edition of the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition will hold from August 2 to 4, 2027, with professional training courses scheduled for July 31 to August 1, marking the Golden Jubilee of NAICE.

He expressed optimism that the landmark anniversary would attract even greater participation from the African and global energy community.

As he officially declared NAICE 2026 open, Nwaochei called on delegates to participate actively in technical sessions, engage with exhibitors, build strategic partnerships and contribute meaningfully to conversations that will strengthen Nigeria’s energy sector.

“Nigeria’s energy future will be determined not only by the resources beneath our soil, but by how we develop technical solutions to our unique challenges, the quality of our leadership, the strength of our institutions, the clarity and stability of our policies, our willingness to innovate, and our commitment to collaboration,” he said.

He concluded by thanking participants for their continued commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy industry and wished them productive deliberations throughout the conference.