The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr Maikanti Baru has pledged the Corporation’s continuous support for the Nigerian International Petroleum Summit, NIPS; An African Petroleum Technology and Business Summit. He called for an expansive collaborative effort amongst various other stakeholders to ensure the event’s success.
The GMD made this known while receiving the Official NIPS post conference report from the Chief Executive Officer of Brevity Anderson James Shindi, at the side lines of the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference, (OTC) held in Houston Texas.
NIPS, the maiden edition of the African Petroleum Technology and Business Summit, organised by a joint venture between a consortium led by Brevity Anderson and the Federal Government of Nigeria issued its official post event report on the 2018 conference and exhibition which held February in Abuja.
It would be recalled that NIPS 2018 witnessed huge patronage by industry stalwarts, professionals and government representatives not just from Nigeria but neighbouring African states.
Speaking to pressmen in Houston, Shindi said, “Over a one-week period, we had some 2,000 participants walked through our doors, either as speakers, delegates, exhibitors or just visitors from 43 different countries. We also had in attendance 8 petroleum ministers, and heads of reputable international energy organisations, including OPEC, IEF and APPO. From within Nigeria, we had the top decision makers in the industry attend and speak at the conference. For a first-time event, that is excellent“.
Deliberations at the NIPS were broad and conclusive and some recommendations included: the need for collaboration among producing African countries; for other African states to tap from the rich experience of Nigerian entrepreneurs; for Africans and Nigerians to lead the investment in gas infrastructure ahead of expected foreign investments; the need for a review of Nigerian government’s policies on power; for producers to be globally competitive in managing cost; improving refining infrastructure; managing security in producing communities; and how to mitigate future impacts of oil price slump.
Looking forward with regards to NIPS 2019, Shindi added, “NIPS 2019 promises the year’s most strategic opportunity to network with both industry peers and key decision makers. There will be a host of networking events, including side meetings, gala dinners, cultural nights, luncheons and coffee breaks throughout the summit”.
NIPS is a project of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Its structure and organisation received the approval of the Federal Executive Council and has the highest level of government backing and endorsement. Organised in the true spirit of a PPP, NIPS creates the platform for Nigeria to help galvanise Africa’s response to global Oil and Gas Challenges.
