Nigeria’s energy sector requires a balanced approach to reforms and national realities to ensure a sustainable future, according to Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, President of Masters Energy Group and former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development. Speaking at the NAEC Energy Conference 2025, Dr. Ogah emphasized the need for stakeholders to harmonize policy, investment, and innovation to achieve sustainable growth.
The successful implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and the Electricity Act of 2023 is crucial for Nigeria’s energy transition. Dr. Ogah noted that the PIA has the potential to transform the energy sector, but its implementation requires deliberate coordination across government and industry. He also highlighted the importance of gas commercialization, citing the Utorogu Gas Processing Facility as a vital project.
Nigeria’s energy path is marked by both opportunities and risks, and Dr. Ogah stressed that the country must navigate these dynamics together. He identified three key challenges: ensuring reforms yield measurable results, maximizing the value of hydrocarbon assets, and providing affordable power to all citizens. The oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the economy, accounting for nearly 70 percent of export earnings and sustaining millions of jobs.
However, the sector faces significant threats, including underinvestment, oil theft, and insecurity. Dr. Ogah warned that these challenges pose a risk to the full implementation of the PIA. He also emphasized the need for Nigeria to exceed its 30 percent renewable capacity target by 2030, highlighting the nation’s significant potential in solar, wind, and youthful human capital.
The former minister proposed the development of utility-scale solar farms, mini-grids, and local solar manufacturing under the proposed Nigerian Solar Manufacturing Initiative. He also identified blue hydrogen, biofuels, and critical mineral exploration as crucial pathways for industrial diversification. Dr. Ogah stressed that every solution must serve both growth and sustainability, from solar in Olorunsogo to blue hydrogen in the Delta.
To drive Nigeria’s energy transition, Dr. Ogah called for practical solutions, including establishing a single-window licensing system, modernizing the national grid, and implementing benefit-sharing models. He also proposed the creation of a National Energy Transition Academy to address human capital needs. The business leader concluded that energy reform is a national, joint project, urging industry players to align with ESG principles, the government to deepen reform consistency, and journalists to sustain solution-driven energy reporting.
Ultimately, Dr. Ogah’s message emphasized the need for a unified vision to optimize Nigeria’s hydrocarbon assets and build a clean-energy ecosystem, fueling sustainable growth for every Nigerian. As the country navigates its energy transition, the importance of policy consistency, innovation, and collaboration cannot be overstated. By working together, Nigeria can unlock its full energy potential and create a brighter future for its citizens.