Key figures from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including legislators, regulators, and industry leaders, are preparing to gather in Abuja for the inaugural House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) Week. This premier event aims to foster high-level discussions that will influence the trajectory of the nation’s downstream petroleum industry.
The opening ceremony will be officiated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. Distinguished attendees will include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, and Gbenga Komolafe, the head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Other prominent participants anticipated at the event are Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); as well as representatives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Refinery Owners Association, and leading oil marketing companies.
Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Chairman of the Committee, described the gathering as “Nigeria’s foremost assembly of petroleum sector stakeholders,” where policymakers, regulators, and investors will engage in meaningful dialogue to clarify regulations, discuss market dynamics, and identify collaborative opportunities.
He emphasized that the Downstream Week is crafted to tackle pressing challenges impacting the sector’s stability, operational efficiency, and investment climate, while also recognizing the significant achievements made to date.
“This forum is a convergence point for shared vision – bringing together lawmakers, regulators, and investors to harmonize policies and innovations that will shape the downstream industry’s future,” Ugochinyere stated.
“We aim to honor excellence, confront existing obstacles, and devise sustainable strategies to promote growth and security within the sector.”
The event’s agenda includes technical workshops, exhibitions, and strategic discussions with operators and marketers, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony and gala dinner to celebrate outstanding industry contributors.
Ugochinyere further highlighted that the initiative, developed in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, reflects the House of Representatives’ dedication to enhancing cooperation and ensuring the downstream sector continues to be a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic development, employment generation, and energy stability.
“Our goal is to proactively shape the downstream landscape of tomorrow,” he remarked. “The insights and agreements forged here will drive policy reforms, influence investment flows, and reinforce public-private partnerships.”
Looking ahead, the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) Week is envisioned as an annual forum where stakeholders can evaluate progress, exchange knowledge, and coordinate strategies to sustain the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas industry.
