The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has called for the reignition of exploration activities in Nigeria’s mature basins as part of efforts to attract increased investment and strengthen the country’s energy security.

Speaking at a media parley in Lagos on Thursday ahead of the 43rd Annual International Conference and Exhibition scheduled to hold from November 9 to 13, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, NAPE President, Johnbosco Uche, said the move is necessary to revitalize the nation’s petroleum exploration and production strategies.

Themed “Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development,” this year’s conference, according to Uche, will focus on ensuring energy availability, stability, and affordability while positioning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to thrive amid the global energy transition.

“As the global energy transition accelerates, Nigeria faces a dual responsibility: to sustain petroleum exploration and production while also preparing for a diversified, lowcarbon energy future. We cannot achieve this without deliberate policy alignment, increased investment, and renewed exploration drive,” Uche stated.

“At NAPE, we believe that energy security must remain a national priority. Nigeria cannot industrialize or grow sustainably without reliable and affordable energy.”

He said achieving this goal requires deliberate policy alignment, increased investment, and renewed exploration drive. To that end, Uche outlined six priority areas, including reigniting mature basin exploration, refocusing exploration strategies among IOCs and indigenous companies, increasing oil and gas production capacity, accelerating gas development, advancing geoscience research, and promoting collaboration among government, industry, and academia.

He explained that reviewing well classifications and exploration policies would help attract new investors to the upstream sector, boost discoveries, and sustain production growth.

Uche also expressed optimism that, with the right strategies, Nigeria could achieve its 2030 targets of producing 3 million barrels of oil per day and 12 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

“Our actions today must secure the energy of tomorrow,” he said. “NAPE remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s petroleum industry continues to be a catalyst for development and sustainability.”

Also speaking at the briefing, NAPE President-elect, Mrs. Olajumoke Ajayi, revealed that the upcoming conference will feature about 23 activities, including technical and management sessions focusing on technology, local content, and sustainability.

Responding to questions on Nigeria’s short-term goal of achieving 2 million barrels per day, Ajayi said the target is attainable, citing increased rig count, improved pipeline security, and the executive orders signed by President Bola Tinubu as key enablers.