Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerian Institute of Petroleum and Gas Engineers have called for wider deployment of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to modernise Nigeria’s oil and gas operations.
The push came during a visit by NIPetGE’s President-elect, Prisca Kanebi, and her team to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari. The delegation was received in Abuja by the Executive Vice President for Gas, Power and New Energy, Olalekan Ogunleye, who represented the company’s leadership.
Conversations at the meeting centred on how Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry can remain competitive as the world shifts toward cleaner energy, while also keeping pace with fast-evolving technology and sustainability expectations.
NNPCL acknowledged the institute’s role in shaping technical standards, influencing policy conversations, and promoting innovation across the sector.
Kanebi referenced outcomes from the institute’s recent conference, where experts proposed the creation of a national hub dedicated to intelligent energy systems. The centre, she said, would encourage the use of AI, Internet of Things tools, and robotics across different stages of the petroleum value chain.
She also praised ongoing government efforts to cut carbon emissions and affirmed the institute’s readiness to back policies that improve environmental performance in the industry.
Among the institute’s proposals was the introduction of an emissions trading framework tied to hydrocarbon activities, which would position Nigeria to participate in global carbon markets. It also recommended tax incentives to stimulate local production and service capacity within the oil and gas space.
Further suggestions included broadening the country’s Energy Transition Plan to set measurable decarbonisation targets for upstream operations, supported by fiscal benefits. The institute equally encouraged stronger public-private collaboration on emission-control infrastructure, carbon capture projects, and hybrid renewable energy initiatives.
Both parties emphasised the importance of deeper partnerships between industry players and academic institutions to strengthen professional training and align engineering practices with international benchmarks.
NIPetGE also disclosed progress on its proposed legislation seeking chartered status, noting that the bill has scaled second reading and is advancing toward further legislative consideration at the National Assembly.
NNPCL, for its part, expressed readiness to work closely with the institute on future initiatives designed to boost efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across Nigeria’s energy landscape.
