Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing oil exploration and refining through strategic partnerships, as it welcomes interest from Kazakhstan in the sector.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), revealed that the Frontier Exploration Fund, established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), remains instrumental in identifying high-potential areas for oil exploration.
During a visit by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kuantyrov Alibek, and his delegation, discussions centered on collaboration in both upstream and downstream sectors. The Kazakh delegation expressed a strong interest in working with Nigeria to enhance exploration and refining capabilities.
Lokpobiri emphasized the importance of adopting advanced and environmentally sustainable technologies in Nigeria’s petroleum sector. “With our vast mineral resources, deploying cleaner and greener technologies is crucial for sustaining exploration and improving downstream operations,” he stated.
Reiterating Nigeria’s readiness for international partnerships, the minister highlighted the significance of technology exchange and resource-sharing initiatives. “Such collaborations are vital to achieving our transformative agenda, driving economic growth, and ensuring the sustainable development of our petroleum industry,” he added.
The potential alliance between Nigeria and Kazakhstan aligns with broader efforts to attract foreign investment and enhance technological advancements in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
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