Nigeria’s efforts to reposition its energy sector and attract a new wave of investment will take center stage at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, with Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, confirmed to participate in the event.
Her participation comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to implement an ambitious energy reform agenda aimed at reversing years of underinvestment, improving project economics and restoring Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading destinations for oil, gas and infrastructure capital.
Since taking office in 2023, the administration has prioritized measures to improve investor confidence, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, reforms to strengthen regulatory efficiency and a series of executive actions designed to accelerate investment across the upstream sector. The government has also focused on improving the commercial performance of NNPC, transitioning the national oil company toward a more investment-oriented operating model and expanding partnerships with international operators.
These reforms are supporting renewed momentum across Nigeria’s upstream sector in 2026, with major international operators advancing new investments across deepwater oil and gas developments. ExxonMobil and its partners are moving forward with a $1 billion investment in the Usan Infill Project, expected to add approximately 40,000 barrels per day of production, while Shell continues to expand its deepwater and integrated gas portfolio through projects including Bonga North and the HI gas development. Bonga North is expected to deliver up to 110,000 barrels per day at peak production, while the HI project is designed to supply 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG. These investments reflect growing confidence in Nigeria’s resource base and highlight opportunities for further capital deployment across offshore development, gas infrastructure and energy services.
With approximately 200 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, Nigeria is seeking to accelerate gas commercialization through LNG expansion, industrial projects, gas processing and gas-to-power initiatives. Projects including the Nigeria LNG Train 7 expansion, alongside broader efforts to strengthen domestic gas supply infrastructure, are expected to play a key role in improving energy security, supporting industrial growth and expanding Nigeria’s position in global gas markets. Recent developments are also highlighting growing momentum around indigenous-led gas projects, including UTM Offshore’s 15-year gas supply agreement with a joint venture between NNPC and Seplat Energy to supply 200 million standard cubic feet per day of gas from the Yoho field for Nigeria’s first indigenous floating LNG project.
Nigeria’s downstream sector is also entering a new phase following the ramp-up of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has the capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day and is expected to reduce reliance on imported refined products while creating new opportunities across logistics, trading and energy infrastructure.
“Nigeria has the resources, market scale and entrepreneurial strength to lead Africa’s next era of energy investment,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The reforms underway under President Tinubu’s administration are focused on making the sector more competitive, improving investor confidence and ensuring that Nigeria captures greater value from its oil, gas and power resources. AEW 2026 provides a critical platform to connect these reforms with the investors, companies and partners needed to deliver growth.”
As Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Verheijen has been closely involved in advancing Nigeria’s energy priorities, including investment promotion, sector coordination and policy implementation. Her participation at AEW 2026 will provide stakeholders with insight into Nigeria’s strategy for unlocking capital and accelerating development across the energy value chain.
