By Atoyebi Nike
The Executive Vice President of Downstream, NNPC Limited, Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, says Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector is undergoing a structural transformation driven by deregulation, foreign exchange reforms, and strategic industry partnerships.
Speaking on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, themed “Energy Sustainability: Growth Beyond Boundaries and Competition,” Dagazau said recent policy reforms had unlocked new opportunities, fostering innovation and integration across the energy value chain.
“We are witnessing strategic measures, supply partnerships, and joint investments that signal a shift from siloed operations to integrated ecosystems. These developments are structural, redefining how we produce, distribute, and consume energy,” he stated.
Dagazau highlighted that sustaining the current momentum required prioritising security, infrastructure, innovation, and transparency, while frameworks like the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and fiscal incentives for renewables were creating a stable investment climate.
He noted that digitisation, automation, and low-carbon technologies were becoming essential to operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. According to him, government reforms had spurred growth in the LPG and CNG markets, creating new frontiers and empowering small and medium enterprises.
“Despite global headwinds, Nigeria’s downstream sector enjoys strategic advantages. Abundant reserves and expanding infrastructure position the country as a regional energy hub,” Dagazau said.
He added that collaboration among African downstream players through public listings, mergers, and cross-border partnerships was positioning the continent as a key global energy player.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Energy Resources, Abiodun Ogunleye, described OTL Africa Downstream Week as a vital platform for policy dialogue and investment.
Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos had hosted nearly every edition of the event, reinforcing its role as Africa’s energy and logistics hub. He cited recent investments by Mainland Oil and Gas and Rainoil, as well as innovations by Dover Fueling Solutions, as evidence of the sector’s evolution.
He reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to clean energy and inclusive growth through initiatives like the Lagos Electricity Policy and Energy Transition Plan, which promote sustainability and private participation.
