The Federal Government says it is intensifying efforts to boost Nigeria’s crude oil output with the renewal of exploration licences in the Kolmani region, located in Bauchi and Gombe states.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made the disclosure during the groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
“The Federal Government is looking forward to drilling more barrels of oil, hence the need for more commitment in drilling the Bauchi site,” Lokpobiri said.
He added that Nigeria’s oil production has grown from about one million barrels per day when the administration came in, to approximately 1.8 million barrels per day, with a target of hitting two million barrels before the end of the year.“When I became minister, my attention was drawn to the fact that the oil licence for Kolmani had expired… I consulted Mr President, and he gave an immediate order for me to renew all the licences for the Kolmani project,” he explained.
The Kolmani oilfield had been inactive due to licence expiration until the recent intervention.Meanwhile, the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, which broke ground on Saturday, is expected to train manpower for Nigeria’s energy future.
The institution is part of a broader investment from the natural resources fund, with ₦6 billion earmarked for its construction from a ₦17 billion grant approved under the previous administration and released by the current one.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, lauded the Federal Government for its continued support and vision.“This school we are building today, we have gotten a lot of support from the natural resources account… And it is out of it that we are using ₦6bn to build this school,” he said.
Governor Mohammed also thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the Kolmani project and acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in moving it forward.
The renewed oil drive in the North, coupled with human capital development, signals the government’s intent to expand Nigeria’s energy footprint beyond the traditional oil-producing zones.
