SPE Nigeria Council boasts 17,000 members, unveils 50years anniversary plan
By Onu Okorie
Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE Nigeria Council Chairman Engr. Francis Nwaochei, has stated that the SPE remains the world’s largest individual-member professional society with more than 17,000 members, including student members, spread across six sections: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin, Abuja and Uyo.
Nwaochei who stated this during his opening remarks at the 49th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE 2026) in Lagos added that the number is supported by over 50 active student chapters nationwide.
He said that for nearly five decades, the NAICE has served as the Council’s flagship technical event and one of Africa’s leading platforms for executive dialogue, policy engagement, technology showcase, investment promotion and professional development.
He also announced that the 2027 edition would mark the Golden Jubilee of the conference.
Addressing government officials, regulators, industry leaders, sponsors and delegates from Nigeria and abroad, he described the gathering as a strong vote of confidence in Nigeria’s energy industry and a demonstration of the sector’s commitment to technical excellence, collaboration, innovation, people development and sustainable energy growth.
He said the global energy industry was at a defining moment, with energy systems being reshaped by concerns over security, affordability, sustainability, digital transformation, decarbonisation and automation. According to him, Nigeria is well positioned to take advantage of the changing landscape because of its abundant hydrocarbon resources, expanding gas economy, growing indigenous participation and developing technology ecosystem.
The chairman highlighted recent milestones in the sector, including the successful conclusion of the 2025 Licensing Round in which 31 companies secured 37 oil and gas blocks. He also cited the ongoing Decade of Gas initiative aimed at using natural gas as a catalyst for industrialisation and cleaner energy access.
He further pointed to the Federal Government’s planned settlement of verified debts owed to power generation companies and gas suppliers through a ₦4 trillion government-backed bond, describing the move as critical to restoring liquidity and investor confidence across the power and gas value chain.
According to him, these developments are consistent with the Federal Government’s broader objective of attracting fresh investments into the petroleum industry while supporting the ambition of growing Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity to three million barrels per day by 2030.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Thriving in the Evolving Global Energy Landscape: Collaborative Growth and Resilience,” the chairman said resilience means adapting to change without losing focus, confronting disruptions through innovation, responding to uncertainty with collaboration and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
He urged participants to ensure that deliberations over the three-day conference produce practical and implementable solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s energy industry.
The conference features an extensive technical programme, including paper presentations, executive panel sessions, topical workshops, a Young Professionals Workshop, Career Fair, Women Leadership Programme, innovation pitch sessions, technology showcases, exhibitions and networking events.
The chairman welcomed participants from government institutions, regulatory agencies, international and indigenous oil and gas companies, service providers, academia, investors and technology firms, while expressing appreciation to sponsors, exhibitors, corporate partners, SPE International, the Africa Region leadership, the Council’s Board of Trustees, past chairpersons, the conference planning committee and secretariat staff for their support.
He also encouraged students and young professionals attending the conference to maximise the opportunity by engaging actively in discussions, seeking mentorship and building lasting professional relationships.
Looking ahead, the chairman announced that NAICE 2027 would celebrate the conference’s 50th anniversary. The Golden Jubilee edition is scheduled to hold from August 2 to 4, 2027, while professional training courses will precede the conference from July 31 to August 1, 2027.
