By Abdullahi Lukman
Nigeria’s path to a sustainable energy future hinges on implementing the right policies, deploying fit-for-purpose technology, and strengthening local supply chains and human capital, according to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo).
Speaking on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the annual international conference of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos, SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams said that with the right framework, Nigeria can deliver affordable, secure, and cleaner energy.
“The question is no longer whether Nigeria will play a key role in the future of energy, but how quickly and effectively we can harness our potential,” he noted.
Adams highlighted SNEPCo’s use of technologies like predictive analytics and integrated data systems to achieve record operational efficiency on the Bonga oil field, nearly two decades after first oil.
He emphasized Shell’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy goals, citing its performance as driven by “foresight, technology, and a commitment to excellence.”
On local content, Adams revealed that over 90% of SNEPCo’s contract value is currently executed by Nigerian firms.
However, he pointed out that limited end-to-end industrial capacity often forces project scopes to be split between local and foreign execution, raising costs and causing delays.
To address this, he called for more investment in local manufacturing and fabrication centers, improved access to capital for local vendors, and regional standardisation efforts.
He also stressed the need for ongoing fiscal reforms to ensure a stable, investor-friendly environment.
“A sustainable energy future for Nigeria and Africa will not emerge by chance,” Adams concluded. “It must be built intentionally, collectively, and courageously.”