Shell Reaffirms Nigeria Commitment, Highlights $3bn Contractor Financing
The energy giant made the commitment at the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, General Manager, Development and Subsurface, Shell Nigeria Deepwater, Kun Jiang, said the company remained confident in Nigeria’s long-term investment prospects despite uncertainties in the global energy market.
“We continue to invest in Nigeria’s future through our projects, our people and our enduring confidence in the potential of this nation,” Jiang said in her sponsor’s address.
She pointed to Shell’s investments in the Bonga North project, HI and the advancement of the Bonga Southwest project as evidence of the company’s continued confidence in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry.
Jiang also highlighted the recently launched $3bn contract financing programme by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), describing it as a strategic intervention to improve contractors’ access to finance and strengthen capacity within the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
According to her, the programme will help Nigerian contractors access financing, build technical capacity, accelerate project execution and increase local value creation.
The initiative is expected to support indigenous companies involved in major offshore developments while contributing to the growth of local content and improving project delivery.
Shell, a major sponsor of NAICE 2026, also reaffirmed its support for SPE and its efforts to promote technical excellence and professional development in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” Jiang said Nigeria was strategically positioned to benefit from changes in global energy markets despite geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and market volatility.
She said Nigeria’s large population, abundant natural resources, skilled workforce and rising domestic energy demand provided the country with the fundamentals needed to become a major destination for energy investments.
However, Jiang said unlocking the country’s potential would require sustained policy reforms, investment-friendly regulations and stronger collaboration between the government and industry.
“Potential alone does not create prosperity. Resources must be transformed into value, and opportunity must be matched by action,” she said.
She urged Nigeria to continue improving its business environment by attracting long-term capital, adopting new technologies and creating conditions that promote sustainable investments and operational efficiency.
“The future will belong to countries and industries that combine resilience with innovation, ambition with collaboration, and investment with execution excellence,” Jiang said.
“Nigeria has the resources. Nigeria has the talent. Nigeria has the opportunity. What is required now is the collective determination to seize it.”
