The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has pledged to resume oil exploration in Borno State after operations were suspended, with the state government assuring the company of adequate security for its personnel and equipment.

The commitment was made during a meeting between the company’s board, led by its Non-Executive Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Olujari, said the company would collaborate with the state government and host communities to advance exploration activities in the basin, which covers seven local government areas.

Discussions also covered a proposed solar power project in the area as part of efforts to develop energy infrastructure in the state.

Zulum assured the delegation that security personnel, including soldiers, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, had been deployed to safeguard exploration sites and equipment.

He clarified that insecurity was not responsible for the suspension of operations, pointing instead to the discontinuation of an earlier gas supply arrangement that supported the exploration activities.

The governor urged NNPCL to fulfil its initial commitment to supply gas, adding that equipment had been left at the sites for more than two years. He said rehabilitating the facilities would help pave the way for work to resume.

Zulum also welcomed the proposed solar energy initiative, noting that additional solar power facilities could help reduce residents’ dependence on fuel amid rising energy costs.

The planned resumption is expected to renew attention on oil exploration in the state’s basin, while cooperation between the company, the government and local communities will be important to moving the projects forward.

Other members of the NNPCL delegation included Executive Vice President of Upstream, Udy Ntia, and Executive Vice President of Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekon Ogunleye.