Nigeria Needs Sustainable, Secure Energy to Reshape Future, Says Seplat Energy
Leading indigenous energy company, Seplat Energy Plc, has emphasized that Nigeria’s future must be powered by sustainable, secure, and inclusive energy. This call was made by Mr. Samson Ezugworie, Chief Operating Officer of Seplat Energy, during the ongoing 2025 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) in Lagos.
Energy as an Economic and Climate Imperative
Speaking on behalf of Seplat Energy CEO Mr. Roger Brown, Ezugworie addressed a distinguished audience comprising regulators, energy operators, financiers, media, and stakeholders across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain. Themed “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy,” the conference provided the ideal platform for this timely discourse.
“We are living through a time of profound transition — a global shift away from fossil fuels toward cleaner, more inclusive energy systems,” Ezugworie said. “For Nigeria, this is not just a climate imperative. It is an economic one — an opportunity to reshape our future with energy that is sustainable, secure, and shared by all.”
Widespread Energy Deficit Amid Abundant Resources
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant natural resources and talent, millions of citizens still lack access to reliable electricity and rely heavily on polluting fuels for basic needs such as cooking and transport. “This reality is worrisome,” he stated, calling for a system-wide approach to energy transformation.
Technology, Supply Chain, and Human Capital as Catalysts
According to Ezugworie, the solution lies in viewing the energy system holistically. He explained:
- Technology must be accessible, scalable, and locally adapted — from off-grid solar to smart grids, clean cooking, and digital monitoring tools.
- Supply chains are the invisible threads connecting ideas to impact. Building resilient, transparent networks — from pipelines to logistics — is crucial for national energy access.
- Human resources are Nigeria’s greatest energy asset. The country must train, empower, and include engineers, entrepreneurs, and communities if it is to meet its energy goals.
- Policy must be bold, consistent, and future-facing — creating an enabling environment that unlocks investment, rewards innovation, and centres on people’s needs.
Momentum Exists, But Progress Remains Uneven
“We are not starting from scratch,” he affirmed. “Technologies are being deployed, communities are being electrified, and new industries are emerging.” However, Ezugworie acknowledged that progress remains uneven, with many Nigerians still left behind.
He challenged stakeholders to align across sectors and regions and to ask the hard questions:
- How do we ensure our energy transition is not only green but just?
- How can access be made affordable, reliable, and inclusive?
- How do we design energy systems that serve both rural villages and urban centers, industries and households?
Call for Clear Direction and Collaboration
Ezugworie concluded with a call to action — urging for clearer strategic direction and stronger collaboration as Nigeria moves toward a sustainable and equitable energy future.
About SPE NAICE 2025
The 2025 edition of the SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) has emerged as a powerful platform for technical knowledge-sharing, policy dialogue, and strategic foresight. The event features:
- Two high-level leadership panel sessions
- Over 80 exhibiting companies
- Technical tracks on gas monetization, pipeline reliability, infrastructure optimization, and digital transformation
- Special focus on national priorities such as asset divestment, local content development, and environmental sustainability
As Nigeria navigates its energy transition, platforms like NAICE continue to foster cross-sector partnerships and critical thought leadership for shaping the nation’s energy destiny.
