Nigeria at 65 – Chevron Reaffirms Longstanding Partnership for Socio-Economic Development

As Nigeria marks her 65th independence anniversary, Chevron companies in Nigeria have reiterated their commitment to the nation’s social and economic development. With more than six decades of continuous operations, Chevron Nigeria has invested heavily in energy, infrastructure, health, education, and human capital, leaving a lasting imprint on communities across the country.

Chevron’s Legacy of Energy Leadership

Mr. Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron companies in Nigeria, underscored the company’s longstanding relationship with Nigeria:

“At Chevron Nigeria, we strive to build lasting relationships that enable human progress now and into the future. For over 60 years, Chevron has been making significant investments in Nigeria, contributing to its growth and development,” he said.

Chevron Nigeria produces oil and natural gas for both domestic and international markets, with the joint venture between Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) standing as a key supplier of gas to Nigeria’s domestic market. The partnership continues to lead in maximizing on-spec gas supply to local and regional markets.

Positioning for Growth Under the PIA

Chevron has also taken major steps to sustain production and expand opportunities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). These include:

• Conversion of joint venture and deepwater leases under the PIA.

• Execution of infill drilling programs to sustain production.

• Renewal of four deepwater leases for 20 years.

• Ongoing drilling campaigns in the Agbami hub, Usan hub, and Owowo field.

• Entry into Oil Prospecting License 215 to boost deepwater development.

• Completion of seismic data acquisition across multiple deepwater leases.

• A near-field discovery with the Meji NW-1 appraisal well.

Chevron’s deepwater Agbami project, one of the largest in Nigeria, has already produced more than 1 billion barrels of oil, while gas-focused projects such as the Escravos Gas Plant and the Escravos Gas-to-Liquids (EGTL) facility have reduced gas flaring, improved environmental outcomes, and supplied cleaner fuels.

In addition, Chevron was instrumental in the ~700km West African Gas Pipeline, which supplies gas to Benin, Togo, and Ghana, fostering regional economic integration and development.

Commitment to Local Content and Capacity Building

Chevron places strong emphasis on local workforce development. Today, over 90% of its Nigerian staff are citizens, with numerous contract opportunities also extended to local companies.

“We prioritize local content and human capacity building,” Mr. Swartz stressed, commending the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the oil and gas industry through the PIA and other reforms.

Community Investments and Social Impact

Chevron’s contributions extend well beyond oil and gas. Olusoga Oduselu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, highlighted the company’s deep-rooted social investments:

• Health: Construction of 28 chest clinics equipped for tuberculosis care, 9 mother-and-child healthcare centers, and a medical diagnostics lab. Some of these facilities proved critical during Nigeria’s COVID-19 response. Chevron has also supported initiatives such as Roll Back Malaria, HIV/AIDS prevention, and river blindness awareness.

• Education: Over 23,000 scholarships awarded nationwide, including for visually impaired students and postgraduate scholars. The Agbami Medical and Engineering Professional Scholarship alone has benefitted 16,500 students, with more than 700 graduating with first-class honors. Investments also include 39 science laboratories and 25 libraries across Nigeria.

• Infrastructure: Legacy projects like the Lekki Conservation Centre, donated to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1992, remain a benchmark for environmental preservation and education.

• Regional Development: Through the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and Host Community Development Trusts, Chevron continues to support Niger Delta communities with projects in health, education, and enterprise development.

A Future-Focused Partner

Chevron’s impact also resonates globally, with contributions to the Global Fund against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB directly benefiting Nigeria. Locally, the company has supported arts, culture, and sports through initiatives such as the National Arts Competition and Junior Tennis Tournament.

As Nigeria looks to the future, Chevron remains optimistic about the role of energy in driving inclusive growth.

“Chevron remains committed to our partnership with Nigeria in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations. We will continue delivering cleaner, more efficient energy to Nigeria, West Africa, and the world,” Mr. Swartz affirmed.