Tony Elumelu
By Victory Oghene
The chairman of Heirs Holdings Group, UBA Group and Transcorp Group has suggested ways of transforming the nation’s energy space.
Elumelu revealed this at the 3rd Anniversary of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with the Theme: Transformation, Innovation & Excellence at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Monday October 21.
He stated that ‘the nation is faced with the threat of Declining Production and Investment’ adding that the nation must acknowledge the elephant in the room.
According to the astute businessman, Nigeria’s oil production has been on a downward trajectory, falling from peaks of over two million barrels per day to recent lows, below 1.5 million, saying that this decline translates to lost revenues, reduced global market share, and missed opportunities for national development.
The root causes, he said, are multifaceted: aging infrastructure, security challenges in the Niger Delta, stalled investments, regulatory uncertainties, and a global shift towards renewable energy that has compounded the investment challenge.
“These factors, combined, threaten the very foundation of our economy, as we are heavily dependent on oil. As a nation, we cannot permit this to continue, and squander our inheritance and betray our next generation,” he said.
Elumelu stressed that by targeting to grow production by one million barrels of oil per day from current levels, the nation is setting a clear and challenging goal; “one that I believe is achievable as I see all stakeholders are at the table and will commit to play their parts and bring the needed collaboration, innovation, and excellence to make this project a success, for the benefit of our country.”
He said: “This is where Project 1MMBOPD is so critical, a crucial part of the solution to unlocking the next phase of our development.
“To be sustainable, this initiative should go beyond just increasing production; it should catalyse a comprehensive strategy to revitalize our entire upstream sector.”
He stated that the project should encompass key elements, which he said include “Infrastructure Modernization: Upgrading our aging facilities to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. Security Enhancement: Implementing advanced technologies and community engagement strategies to secure our assets.
“Regulatory Streamlining: NUPRC’s commitment to creating a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment.
“Investment Attraction: Leveraging this improved landscape to attract both domestic and foreign investment.
“Technology Adoption: Embracing cutting-edge technologies to optimize production and reduce environmental impact.”
The Heirs Energies Chairman emphasised that by addressing these areas comprehensively, the nation will not only aim to reach the 1MMBOPD target but also to create a sustainable framework for future growth.
While urging the country to focus on gas, he said that as the nation embarks on the ambitious project to boost the nation’s oil production, “let us also keep our focus on the critical role of gas in our energy mix. The path to 1MMBOPD must be constructed on strategies that maximize the value of our gas resources, reducing flaring and increasing utilization for domestic and export markets.
“This dual focus will help diversify our energy portfolio and mitigate the risks associated with over-reliance on oil.
“We know the criticality of gas in improving access to electricity in Nigeria. Access to electricity is the single most important factor in our quest for industrialisation. You can now see that our oil and gas sector is pivotal to the development of our country.”
On NUPRC’s Achievements, he said that in its three short years, NUPRC has already laid the groundwork for the solution.
“Your efforts in promoting sustainable practices, such as the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, exemplify the innovation required to balance environmental stewardship with economic growth.
“These initiatives not only reduce our carbon footprint, but also create valuable opportunities for our workforce and communities,” he said.
On Heirs Energies’ progress, he said at Heirs Energies, they are actively contributing to the solution.
“In the first 100 days after we took over operational control of our OML-17 asset in 2021, we doubled our production from 28,000 to over 50,000 barrels per day.
“We suffered a setback with unabated crude theft, which caused us to shut-in and work collaboratively with the NNPC Limited to better secure the pipeline system. From a low of 5% terminal receipts in December 2021, year-to-date in 2024, we have recorded an average terminal receipt of 85%; a remarkable improvement and a good example of what a purposeful collaboration between NNPCL and operators underpinned by rigorous execution can deliver.
“With the improvement in the operating environment, we have restarted our investment and production growth journey, and have now successfully reversed the fall in production that we suffered in 2022 and 2023, as a consequence of the evacuation challenges. A few days ago, OML-17 attained over 51,000 barrels per day, and we continue our production growth journey.
“Relatedly, we are also working to grow our gas production that feeds many power generation plants and gas-based industries.
“These achievements indicate what is possible, where there is strong industry collaboration, and in particular, when regulatory support meets private sector drive and innovation,” he said.
While saying that he is not just an oil and gas investor, he said he is an investor across the Nigerian – and indeed African – economy.
He said: “I have a very clear vision of where Africa should be and needs to be. A vision to address the promise of our enormous youth population and to ensure Africa reaps the rewards, finally and fittingly, of her resource wealth. That younger generation is why I invest in entrepreneurs.
“That is why I speak of Africapitalism. My belief that the private sector has the power to transform the continent through long-term investments, but that it must work collaboratively with the public sector.
“Africapitalism advocates shared prosperity, ensuring environmental sustainability, and fostering community development.
“This philosophy aligns perfectly with NUPRC’s vision and the objectives of Project 1MMBOPD.
“Let us all be Africapitalists! Doing good and doing well!”
On UBA Group’s commitment, he stated that Heirs Energies provides the sectorial expertise needed to transform their oil and gas sector, and that UBA Group has long remained a committed funding institution on the journey of transformation.
According to him, as a global financial institution, UBA, positioned not just across Africa, but in New York, in London, in Dubai and in Paris, has been committed to providing the necessary funding and financial expertise to support both established players and emerging indigenous companies “in reaching our collective goals and implementing the solutions we have outlined.”
On collaboration, he urged increased collaboration with indigenous firms.
“Firms, such as Heirs Energies, that have taken your traditions of best practice and global standards and integrated them into proudly indegenious capabilities, and others, are truly capacitized partners.
“By combining your global expertise with our local knowledge and commitment, we can drive innovation and excellence across the entire value chain, effectively addressing the challenges we face.
“The launch of Project 1MMBOPD is an excellent industry initiative; it is a national imperative and a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing our oil and gas sector, and most importantly our country’s economy.
“It embodies the transformation we seek, the innovation we need, and the excellence we must achieve.
“NUPRC’s leadership in this endeavour is commendable, and I call upon every stakeholder here today to rally behind this vision.
“From my experience in other sectors that Heirs Holdings Group plays in, I can say that no sector developes without a strong regulatory environment and institution. This is why I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast support and commitment to strengthening NUPRC as the oil sector regulator – This is much needed if we must achieve the total transformation of the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
“Together, we can build an energy sector that not only meets Nigeria’s needs but also positions us as a leader in Africa’s energy transition.
“Let us move forward with courage, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, turning the challenges we face into opportunities for growth and prosperity,” he said.
