A Nigerian energy expert and Chief Executive Officer of Brevity Anderson Limited, James Shindi, has cited Nigeria’s 1.735 million barrels per day output and one billion dollar Usan Infill project as evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s oil and gas reforms are yielding results.
Shindi, who is Conference Director of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), stated this in an open letter to the President on Tuesday.
Shindi said the administration’s executive orders, fiscal incentives and institutional reforms have rebuilt investor confidence after years of regulatory uncertainty, high operating costs and declining investment.
He noted that according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, crude and condensate output averaged 1.735 million bpd in June 2026, the fourth consecutive month of growth, while crude oil alone hit 1.56 million bpd, representing 104 percent of Nigeria’s OPEC quota and the highest since April 2020.
He listed renewed investments including Ubeta, Bonga North, HI Gas and the one billion dollar Usan Infill project expected to add 40,000 bpd, plus ExxonMobil’s return to drilling after a decade, as signs of restored confidence.
The stakeholder also commended resolution of the OPL 245 dispute and stronger enforcement of the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation to support local refining, as well as the Presidential Executive Order to Safeguard Federation Oil and Gas Revenues effective February 13, 2026 and the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives Order 2026 for promoting transparency and a rules based framework.
Shindi said gas must power electricity, fertiliser, petrochemicals, manufacturing and transportation and not just exports, and that compressed natural gas expansion will only benefit citizens with reliable supply and wider coverage.
He urged evolution of local content beyond quotas into globally competitive Nigerian enterprises through supplier development, skills and technology transfer and prompt payment to contractors, alongside consistent methane reporting and flare gas utilisation.
He warned that past policies failed due to weak implementation and called for legislative backing of the reforms, regular scorecards on approvals, production, investment and revenues, and transparent milestones for state owned refineries.
He commended the energy team including Ministers Heineken Lokpobiri and Ekperipe Ekpo, Special Adviser Olu Verheijen, NUPRC Chief Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, NMDPRA Chief Rabiu Umar, NCDMB Executive Secretary Felix Ogbe, NNPC Ltd team led by Bashir Ojulari and Permanent Secretary Patience Oyekunle.
Shindi said global developments around Ukraine Russia, the Strait of Hormuz and possible United States curbs on diesel exports could cause market shocks, urging Nigeria to secure local crude for refining at affordable costs.
