The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s inactive and untapped energy assets, describing the initiative as a national imperative to boost production, enhance energy security, and stimulate economic growth.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Ph.D., during a working visit to TotalEnergies’ headquarters in Paris and its Research Institute in Pau, France.
In a statement issued by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister, Senator Lokpobiri emphasized that revitalizing dormant oil fields is central to the administration’s energy strategy.
“Unlocking dormant fields is not optional—it is vital to our energy security and economic growth,” the Minister stated. “Mr. President has issued a clear and unequivocal directive: all operators must reactivate dormant assets.”
Lokpobiri’s visit, made at the invitation of TotalEnergies, formed part of broader engagements with international oil companies and energy stakeholders. It comes at a time when TotalEnergies is preparing to unlock several key assets, including blocks awarded during Nigeria’s most recent bid rounds, as well as previously-held fields.
As the policy lead and supervisor of regulatory bodies in the oil sector, the Minister assured that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is fully committed to providing the necessary backing for the implementation of this directive. “We are driving this mission with utmost dedication, and I commend TotalEnergies for taking bold steps to unlock their inactive and untapped assets,” he said.
During his visit to Pau, Senator Lokpobiri was briefed at the institute’s state-of-the-art Smart Room and support centre, where advanced exploration and monitoring technologies were showcased. In Paris, the Minister held strategic talks at TotalEnergies’ global headquarters focused on regulatory frameworks, operational facilitation, and other key enablers needed to expedite asset activation.
Speaking during the visit, Nicolas Terraz, Group President, Exploration and Production at TotalEnergies, lauded Nigeria’s commitment to revitalizing its energy sector. “We welcome Nigeria’s firm regulatory backing. Our commitment is to deploy our technical expertise and capital to restart production in these strategic assets,” he said. “Our engagement today reflects a shared determination to boost energy output for mutual benefit.”
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, reaffirmed its readiness to provide all necessary policy, financial, and technical support to operators like TotalEnergies. The revitalization of inactive assets, the statement noted, is a key pillar in President Bola Tinubu’s energy agenda—promoting job creation, strengthening government revenue, and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy sovereignty.
About Author
