Nigerian Oil and Gas Ministers Skip Africa Energy Week

The heart of a follower grows cold upon realising that the leader is not very interested in progress. Such a mindset is sprouting among informed Nigerians because of certain decisions and actions attributed to high-profile individuals in the country. Among these individuals, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and his counterpart for Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, are leading the charge.

This year’s edition of the African Energy Week (AEW) Conference was held from October 16 to 20, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa. Known as the stage of the big players in the energy sector in Africa, this conference provided another opportunity for nations to shine. However, it seems that Nigeria was not as radiant as expected.

The alleged reason for the dullness in Nigeria’s record at the conference has to do with the absence of two of its most important figures, Lokpobiri and Ekpo.

At the time of writing, the ministers had not forwarded any explanation as to their absence at the conference. Although multiple reasons have been generously supplied by the general public, none of these are considered credible since neither Lokpobiri nor Ekpo authored them.

Interestingly, Ekpo is reported to have been scheduled for a session at the conference. He was allegedly supposed to offer insights regarding the investment opportunities that exist in Nigeria’s gas market, reinforcing the sector-advertising strategy of his counterpart, Lokpobiri.

However, it was a no-show for both ministers, reportedly. Perhaps Lokpobiri’s absence is tied to political matters with Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri. But what about Ekpo?

Agitated voices have risen against Lokpobiri and Ekpo for this negligence. Who knows, maybe the ministers had a legitimate excuse to be absent from a conference that could have announced Nigeria’s energy market as available for foreign investments.