Nigeria's Oil and Gas Sector Remains Key Driver of Nation's Economy.... Dr. Emeka Obi

Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, mni,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources,

"This is an opportunity to strengthen a data ecosystem we can all be proud of, one that upholds transparency, accountability, efficiency, and pragmatism.” Dr. Obi

The oil and gas sector in Nigeria, remains the principal driver of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to national revenue, even amidst the growing global momentum towards energy transition.

This was the assertion of Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi, mni, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Abuja, during his opening remarks at the 60th meeting of the Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS); a two-day engagement organized by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Dr. Obi, while emphasizing the centrality of data in shaping decisions related to exploration, production, pricing, and the broader energy transition agenda, stated, that, “The need for dependable data to guide decisions in the sector cannot be overemphasized". 

"Your role as a committee is vital, not only in bridging gaps within the data ecosystem but also in standardizing methodologies, validating sources, and fostering trust among both local and international stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.”

He lauded the committee’s continuous efforts across various agencies and parastatals in ensuring the production of accurate, timely, and credible data for national use. Dr. Obi encouraged members to approach their deliberations with purpose, share insights, and pursue actionable outcomes capable of advancing the sector.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen a data ecosystem we can all be proud of, one that upholds transparency, accountability, efficiency, and pragmatism,” he added.

Describing the meeting as both “strategic and deep,” the Permanent Secretary highlighted that the session was reviewing statistical data from all four quarters of 2024 and the first two quarters of 2025. He noted that the CCPS provides a critical platform for inter-agency collaboration, harmonization of petroleum statistics, and alignment of data with national planning frameworks.

The Permanent Secretary, MPR. Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi mni presenting the Statistical Bulletin of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector 2018 - 2023 at the 60th meeting of the Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS) in Abuja.

Dr. Obi further charged the committee to ensure timely analysis and reporting of data within each fiscal year to support evidence-based policy formulation and strategic benchmarking by government stakeholders.

He commended the active participation of key institutions represented at the meeting, including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The Chairman of the Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS) and Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, MPR. Mr. Usman Abdulkadir delivering his welcome address at the 60th meeting of CCPS in Abuja.

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the CCPS and Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Usman Abdulkadir, noted that the CCPS was initiated to drive the generation of petroleum-related data for policy planning, academic research, and economic forecasting.

The representative of the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and Deputy General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation, Mr. Muhammad Haruna making a speech at the 60th meeting of the Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS) in Abuja.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), represented by the Deputy General Manager, Strategic Planning and Documentation, Mr. Muhammad Haruna, described the meeting as integral to strengthening the accuracy and quality of petroleum data in Nigeria. He emphasized that reliable data remains essential for informed decision-making, effective policy development, and sustainable sectoral growth.

A key highlight of the opening session was the official presentation and launch of the Statistical Bulletin of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector, 2018–2023.

The Permanent Secretary, MPR. Dr. Emeka Vitalis Obi mni (center) in a group photograph with the participants of the 60th meeting of the Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS) in Abuja.

The Consultative Committee on Petroleum Statistics (CCPS) is a strategic body established to drive standardization and harmonization in data collection and analysis across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

With a clear mandate to enhance the reliability and consistency of petroleum statistics, the CCPS plays a pivotal role in generating credible data that supports effective planning, informed policymaking, and sustainable development within the industry.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Chris Ugwuegbulam, l Head, Press and Public Relations, MPR.