Financial Energy Review
The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration between professional associations in the oil and gas industry and government agencies, stressing that such partnerships are key to unlocking the sector’s full potential in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
At the 60th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Abuja, SPDC’s Exploration Manager, Gogo Eneyok, called for deeper cooperation to drive technological innovations not only in the oil and gas sector but across other industries. This, he argued, would catalyze growth and development within the country.
“Collaboration between professional bodies and government agencies is crucial for the growth of the sector. It can result in investments in research and development that will benefit the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy,” Eneyok said during the conference’s opening ceremony.
Eneyok highlighted Shell’s long-standing partnership with NMGS, which includes sponsoring conferences, offering internship opportunities to young professionals, and supporting academic research. He noted that Shell has provided real-time industry data to enhance academic work and improve the quality of geoscience education in Nigeria.
“We’ve sustained our decades-long partnership with NMGS, supporting research and offering internship opportunities for the next generation of professionals. Shell continues to power progress in Nigeria through operations in land, shallow and deep-water, as well as gas and renewables,” Eneyok added.
The SPDC Exploration Manager also noted the growing importance of innovation in addressing the challenges facing the energy sector, stressing the need for a national dialogue on how to navigate the sector’s evolving landscape. “This is the time for professionals and government to deliberate on the various aspects of the energy sector and look for innovative solutions,” he said.
NMGS President, Professor Akinade Olatunji, echoed the sentiment, calling on the Nigerian government to trust its citizens’ abilities to chart a course for long-term growth. Olatunji also celebrated the conference’s milestone, noting how it has evolved into Nigeria’s premier geosciences and mining event over the past 60 years.
“The NMGS conference has grown from humble beginnings to become the leading platform for geoscience professionals in Nigeria,” Olatunji said. “We are confronted by a rapidly changing world order, and as we face this challenge, it’s clear that innovation will play a critical role in overcoming the myriad challenges across various sectors of our economy.”
In a goodwill message, Johnbosco Uche, President of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), underlined the importance of the NMGS in shaping the future of earth sciences. Uche, who is also Shell’s Chief Geophysicist in Nigeria, emphasized the crucial partnership between NAPE and NMGS, noting that both organizations share a common goal of responsible and efficient resource management.
“NMGS plays a critical role in fostering research and ensuring professionals operate with integrity. We at NAPE deeply value our collaboration with NMGS, as it supports our mission to harness natural resources responsibly,” Uche said.
The ongoing discussions and partnerships highlighted at the conference reflect a growing recognition of the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving Nigeria’s development, particularly in the oil and gas sectors.
