The Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) has announced plans for its 2026 annual conference, with discussions set to focus on improving access to strategic assets for indigenous energy firms and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness across the oil, gas, power, mining and renewable energy sectors.
The conference is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites under the theme: “Access to Assets: Empowering Players and Driving Growth.”
Organisers said the event will bring together policymakers, regulators, investors, financiers, energy executives and technology leaders to address structural barriers limiting indigenous participation in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Focus on Indigenous Operators and Industry Reform
According to NAEC, the conference will examine how indigenous companies can gain improved access to high-value oil and gas assets amid shifting priorities among international energy companies.
The discussions are expected to cover:
- Divestments by international oil companies (IOCs)
- Frontier exploration opportunities
- Regulatory bottlenecks affecting local operators
- Financing constraints
- Infrastructure gaps
- Energy transition opportunities
- Competitiveness within global energy markets
NAEC Chairman Ugo Amadi said the conference theme reflects urgent industry concerns tied to investment, production growth and operational sustainability.
He noted that the event would explore how indigenous companies can improve efficiency, scale production and restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition and Local Capacity
Conference Chairman Adeola Yusuf said the event would place strong emphasis on local capacity development and the growing role of indigenous companies within Africa’s energy ecosystem.
According to Yusuf, Nigerian operators are increasingly becoming central to:
- Oil and gas infrastructure development
- Domestic energy security
- Power sector expansion
- Regional energy integration
- Sustainable economic development
He added that conference sessions would seek practical solutions for improving sector performance while setting new benchmarks across the oil, gas and power industries.
High-Level Participation Expected
The conference is expected to feature keynote addresses from senior Nigerian government officials and energy policymakers, including:
- Heineken Lokpobiri
- Ekperikpe Ekpo
- Olu Verheijen
Organisers said more than 300 delegates and over 20 speakers are expected to attend, including chief executives, regulators, financiers and technology experts from across the energy value chain.
Growing Importance of Indigenous Participation
The conference comes amid major structural changes in Nigeria’s energy industry, particularly following asset divestments by several multinational oil companies and increasing efforts by local firms to expand upstream and midstream operations.
Industry stakeholders say indigenous participation is becoming increasingly important as Nigeria seeks to:
- Boost crude oil and gas production
- Improve domestic refining capacity
- Expand electricity access
- Attract long-term energy investment
- Position itself within the global energy transition
For international investors and business observers, the conference is expected to provide insight into Nigeria’s evolving regulatory environment, investment climate and local content strategy as Africa’s largest energy producer seeks to balance energy security, economic growth and transition priorities.
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