Featured, Oil & Gas
By Anthony Isibor
THE Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, says that Nigeria has moved beyond years of policy hesitation and is now focused on translating ongoing reforms into investment, higher energy production, jobs and sustainable economic growth.
Speaking during a special address at the 25th edition of the NOG Energy Week on Tuesday, Verheijen said that the progress recorded in the country’s energy sector was the product of coordinated efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, state governments, regulators, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, investors and workers across the oil and gas value chain.
She said that the achievements recorded so far should not be credited to any individual, but to a broad coalition of public and private sector stakeholders driving reforms in the industry.
“We deliberately say ‘we’ because this record belongs to a team, not just mine. It belongs to the President, who sets the direction; state governments; ministers; regulators; our national oil company; government agencies; operators; investors; civil servants and workers across the value chain,” she said.
Verheijen also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Nigerians during the reform process, noting that citizens have a legitimate expectation that the changes being implemented should translate into improved living conditions, employment opportunities and economic relief.
She admitted that significant challenges remain, including inflation, affordability, infrastructure deficits, security concerns and the need for faster implementation of reforms.
“We have not finished the work. No serious reformer says the job is done. Inflation, affordability, security, infrastructure and execution still demand urgency,” she said.
However, she argued that the existence of these challenges should not be interpreted as evidence that the reform programme had failed.
“Let no one confuse unfinished work with failed work,” she said, describing the current period as one in which Nigeria had chosen temporary hardship in pursuit of long-term national progress.
Addressing investors and industry stakeholders, Verheijen said that the true measure of the reforms should be reflected in improving investor confidence, rising hydrocarbon production, efforts to resolve the power sector’s debt burden and the growing recognition of natural gas as critical industrial infrastructure rather than merely an export commodity.
She urged stakeholders to judge the administration’s performance based on measurable outcomes, including whether Nigeria has become a more credible investment destination and whether capital is returning to the country’s energy sector.
“The age of Nigerian hesitation is ending. We are now in the age of Nigerian ambition,” she declared.
According to her, the country’s immediate priority is to convert reforms into tangible benefits by attracting capital, accelerating project delivery, creating jobs and using the energy sector as a driver of national development.
Verheijen said that history would judge the current generation not by the abundance of Nigeria’s natural resources, but by its ability to transform those resources into widespread prosperity.
“History will ask whether we converted oil, gas, sun, rivers and talent into prosperity; whether we left behind pipelines instead of promises, power plants instead of press releases, institutions instead of personalities, jobs instead of slogans and confidence instead of cynicism,” she said.
She noted that while the first 25 years of NOG Energy Week helped build consensus around the future of Nigeria’s energy industry, the next phase must be defined by implementation and measurable results.
“The first 25 years of NOG Energy Week helped us build consensus. The next 25 years must be about delivery,” Verheijen said.
She expressed confidence that Nigeria was building the credibility needed to attract long-term investment and compete in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
“Let it be said that when the world changed, Nigeria did not shrink. Let it be said that when capital demanded credibility, Nigeria built it. Let it be said that we stopped celebrating potential and started delivering performance. That is the work. That is the record. That is our legacy,” she added.
W.U
July 7, 2026
Tags: Anthony Isibor Olu Verheijen President Bola Tinubu