NIPetE’s Oil and Gas Symposium: Stakeholders Push for Innovation-driven Energy Ecosystem

Raheem Akingbolu

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE), Engr. Dr. Yetunde Aladeitan, FNSE, has stated that Nigeria’s energy future must move decisively beyond crude dependency toward value-driven, innovation-led growth.

Aladeitan, an Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering, who also doubles as the Director, Energy Research Center at the University of Abuja, gave the advice while hosting the 2026 NIPetE Oil and Gas Symposium in Abuja.

As Chair of NIPetE, an association that has increasingly positioned itself as a thought-leadership hub where policy, engineering, and investment intersect, Dr. Aladeitan said her current position has further given her an insight into what she described as ‘a promising future’ of Nigeria’s oil and gas. She, however, urged stakeholders to follow the global trends in the oil and gas sector, where global best practice is not compromised.

The high-level virtual symposium, themed “Beyond the Barrel: Tax Reforms, Value Chain Optimization, and the Future of Nigerian Energy,” brought together leading engineers, policymakers, fiscal experts, and industry stakeholders to interrogate Nigeria’s evolving oil and gas landscape and explore sustainable pathways for long-term value creation.

Chairman of the occasion and President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, FNSE, MFR represented by the deputy president Engr. Valerie Agberagba FNSE described the symposium’s theme as both timely and critical, stressing that Nigeria must urgently move away from over-dependence on crude oil revenues. He called for an innovation-driven, diversified energy ecosystem anchored on sound fiscal policies, gas development, and value-chain efficiency.

Delivering the keynote address, Abudukerimu Sule, speaking on behalf of Mr. Momoh J. Oyarekhua, provided deep insights into the investment opportunities embedded in the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, highlighting how tax reforms can stimulate upstream efficiency, attract foreign and local investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market.

A robust panel session followed, featuring respected industry experts including Engr. Ehimhen Okoh-Agunloye, Engr. Dr. Bukola Olusola, Mr. Adesola Adebawo, Mrs. Eyono Fatai-Williams, and Mr. Abayomi Abiona, FCA. Discussions spanned critical areas such as gas transition strategies, upstream and midstream optimization, fiscal incentives, and the role of engineering innovation in driving sustainable energy development.

Beyond the depth of conversations, the 2026 symposium reflected Engr. Dr.Yetunde Aladeitan’s long-held conviction that Nigeria’s energy future must move decisively beyond crude dependency toward value-driven, innovation-led growth.

The calibre of participation—including the NSE President, seasoned policymakers, and industry practitioners—underscored the growing stature of NIPetE under her stewardship. More importantly, the conversations were not theoretical. They were practical, forward-looking, and solution-oriented, focusing on how fiscal reforms like the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 can be translated into actionable engineering and investment pathways.

From strengthening midstream and downstream investments to unlocking gas-led industrialization, the symposium mirrored Dr. Aladeitan’s leadership philosophy: bridging policy with practice and turning national reforms into measurable industry outcomes.

An accomplished academic and industry professional, Engr. Dr. Aladeitan continues to combine mentorship, policy influence, and institutional leadership. Through platforms such as the NIPetE symposium, she remains committed to nurturing the next generation of petroleum engineers while actively shaping the strategic direction of Nigeria’s energy ecosystem.

As Nigeria navigates economic reforms, global energy transitions, and shifting investment dynamics, one reality stands clear: the future belongs to leaders who understand both the science and the strategy of energy. In Aladeitan, Nigeria has such a leader—driving conversations, shaping outcomes, and quietly engineering the nation’s energy future with clarity and impact.