The Nigerian government has renewed its push to ramp up national oil production by unlocking dormant and underutilized energy assets across the country.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), made this known during a strategic visit to TotalEnergies’ headquarters in Paris and its research facility in Pau, France. The visit, conducted at the invitation of the French energy giant, was part of wider engagements with key players in the oil and gas sector.
“Reviving idle oil fields is a national priority,” Lokpobiri said during the visit. “This isn’t a choice—it’s essential for ensuring Nigeria’s energy security and driving economic progress.”
He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has issued a clear mandate: all oil operators must prioritize the activation of dormant assets. According to the minister, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is fully committed to leading this effort, working closely with regulators and industry stakeholders.
TotalEnergies is among the companies expected to play a leading role in this effort. The firm is preparing to bring several of its assets back online, including those acquired during Nigeria’s latest oil licensing round.
While in Pau, the minister received technical briefings and demonstrations on advanced oil exploration and monitoring tools at TotalEnergies’ Smart Room. In Paris, discussions centered on how Nigeria can provide regulatory and operational support to help fast-track the reopening of idle fields.
Nicolas Terraz, Group President for Exploration and Production at TotalEnergies, welcomed Nigeria’s policy direction. “We are committed to applying our expertise and investment to resume production in key fields,” he said. “There’s a shared goal here—to increase output in a way that benefits both Nigeria and our company.”
The government has pledged to provide the necessary policy, financial, and technical backing to energy firms participating in the asset revitalization initiative. Officials believe that tapping into these dormant resources will help boost national revenue, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s energy independence.
