FG releases N17bn for oil, gas exploration in Bauchi

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The Federal Government has released N17 billion to Bauchi State to advance oil and gas exploration and capacity building, announced Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

Speaking on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri, Lokpobiri praised Governor Bala Mohammed’s visionary leadership.

“I commend Governor Bala Mohammed for being a visionary leader,” Lokpobiri said. “Because of the global campaign on energy transition, many think oil and gas will not remain the major source of energy globally, so there is limited investment. The truth is that oil and gas will remain the most dominant source of energy globally for the foreseeable future.”

The minister noted that President Bola Tinubu’s energy security vision aligns with Mohammed’s, enabling the release of the N17 billion, previously withheld under the prior administration, to support projects like the Academy. Lokpobiri, accompanied by PTDF Executive Secretary Alhaji Galadima, emphasised PTDF’s role in building Nigerian capacity and infrastructure. “As a commitment to partnering with you, I came with the executive secretary of PTDF, Alhaji Galadima, because PTDF’s primary mandate is to continue to build the capacity of Nigerians on a continuous basis and also supports institutions with infrastructure,” he said.

Lokpobiri highlighted renewed federal commitment to the Kolmani basin, where the licence for the Kolmani oil block had expired. “I consulted with Mr President and he gave an immediate order for me to renew all the licences for the Kolmani project,” he revealed, crediting Bala Wunti, a Bauchi native and former team lead for the project. The Academy, he added, will train skilled labour to support Kolmani and the global oil and gas industries.

Governor Mohammed thanked Tinubu for releasing the N17 billion, noting that N6 billion is funding the Academy’s construction. “I must acknowledge that this school that we are building today, the Buhari administration approved N17 billion for us and the Tinubu administration released N17 billion,” he said. He stressed his administration’s commitment to contributing to national revenue through oil, gas, solid minerals, and agriculture, rather than being “parasites”.

Mohammed explained that the Academy, conceived in 2021 after the discovery of commercial oil and gas in Kolmani by NNPCL and partners, aims to provide skilled manpower for the Kolmani field and beyond.

“The idea to establish the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy Alkaleri was conceived in 2021 following the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the Kolmani area of Alkaleri and Gombe State,” he said.

The project aligns with his goal to empower youth and women through vocational education in the oil and gas sector.

Lokpobiri urged youths to seize training opportunities at the Academy for global employment, pledging federal support to ensure timely project completion. Mohammed reaffirmed Bauchi’s partnership with the Federal Government to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth.