The historic city of Calabar witnessed a remarkable convergence of energy leaders, investors, and policymakers at the 2025 Niger Delta Oil & Gas Investment & Security Summit.
At the forefront of discussions was Eur Ing (Amb.) Dr. Chinedu Ogwus — Regional Director Africa, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Society of Petroleum Engineers International — whose keynote and panel contributions emphasized both transformative energy reforms and urgent humanitarian development.
The summit was hosted by Cross River State Governor Prince Bassey Otu and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Agbe Odey, and drew a distinguished audience of high-profile personalities shaping Nigeria’s energy and policy landscape. Among those in attendance were:
Senator Chief Sunday Benson Agadaga MON, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil & Gas Host Communities, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Chairman, Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Rt. Hon. Obongemgem Ekparikpe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum & Hon. Minister of Environment
Dr. Ogwus delivered a keynote address titled “The Global Energy Transition and Nigeria’s Energy Security.” Speaking with the precision of an engineer, the foresight of a strategist, and the compassion of a humanitarian, he called on Nigeria to lead the continent in renewable energy by investing in solar panel and battery manufacturing. He stressed that government support for domestic industries is essential to accelerate the energy transition and ensure sustainable industrial growth.
Engr. Chinedu Ogwus proposed a five-year tax relief for renewable energy investors, drawing inspiration from the NLNG model. This incentive scheme, implemented at the inception of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project, was designed to attract investors and accelerate development in the sector.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Oil & Gas Summit, Dr. Ogwus emphasized that adopting a similar framework for renewables could catalyze investment, drive industrial growth, and position Nigeria as a leader in the continent’s energy transition.
Dr. Ogwus further highlighted the strategic role of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources as transitional fuels, proposing that revenues from gas production be reinvested into renewable energy projects. He also urged the federal government to prioritize the development of solid minerals at a national scale, emphasizing that these resources could create additional revenue streams to finance Nigeria’s path to net-zero emissions by 2060.
During panel discussions, Dr. Ogwus urged oil companies and host communities to foster trust through dialogue, transparency, and effective Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). He emphasized that peace and engagement — not force — remain the true catalysts for sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
He outlined a framework for integrating robotics and autonomous systems into oil and gas operations, advocating for efficiency, environmental safety, and governance. “Africa’s energy future depends not only on production but on governance, technological innovation, and sustainable investment,” he declared to resounding applause.
Beyond the technical discourse, Dr. Ogwus linked energy reform to humanitarian development, detailing initiatives through the Ogwus Youth Empowerment and Community Development organization. From vocational training and youth enterprise platforms to programs that empower women and vulnerable populations, his efforts have created tangible pathways for community upliftment and social stability in Nigeria’s most affected regions.
Summit participants praised Dr. Ogwus for bridging the gap between industrial innovation and human-centered development. In a region often defined by its challenges, he represents a new paradigm of leadership — one where technological progress and social responsibility are inseparable.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Niger Delta Oil & Gas Excellence Award to Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, in recognition of his transformative youth empowerment initiatives in the Niger Delta, which have contributed to increased productivity in the oil and gas sector since January 2025.
In his rising trajectory, Dr. Ogwus exemplifies African leadership defined by service, innovation, and social impact. From Niger Delta oil fields to renewable horizons, he stands as both reformer and humanitarian — a statesman of energy transition and a beacon of inclusive growth.
