Speaking at the pre-conference opening of the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja—themed “Energy for Peace and Prosperity: Securing Our Shared Future”—Lokpobiri stressed that Nigeria’s petroleum sector has sufficient room for both local and foreign operators to thrive side by side.
The minister outlined that government policy focuses on building domestic capabilities while enabling Nigerian companies to compete on equal footing with international Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors.
Lokpobiri acknowledged that the Nigerian Content Act has provided financial backing to local firms to enhance their competitiveness, though implementation has fallen short of expectations in some areas.