In response to the ongoing divestment of International Oil Companies (IOC) from onshore and shallow water assets in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the primary partner to these oil producers, emphasizes its commitment to facilitating rather than impeding the divestment process.

Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, clarified the corporation's role during the opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the Nigerian International Energy Summit 2024 (NIES 2024) at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday. He asserted that NNPC Ltd.'s statutory mandate as the enabler of national energy security dictates its mission to ensure optimal and sustainable production from the divested assets, ultimately securing energy for the benefit of Nigerians.

In addition to its facilitative role, Mr. Kyari announced NNPC Ltd.'s intent to invest in the proposed African Energy Bank, contributing to sustainable funding for energy projects across Africa and reinforcing regional energy security.

Highlighting the strides in energy infrastructure, the GCEO disclosed that the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Pipeline's completion was imminent, with ongoing tunnelling activities beneath the River Niger. He expressed the company's dedication to collaborating with stakeholders to address the energy deficit and foster prosperity for Nigerians, projecting an end to energy scarcity within the next decade.

Dignitaries present at the event included Haitham al-Ghais, Secretary-General of OPEC; Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary-General of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization; Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil); Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas); Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; and Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of Information and National Orientation, representing Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.