Nigeria Tax Act 2025 seen as a catalyst for innovation and value creation in the oil and gas sector, say stakeholders at 2026 NIPetE symposium

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have highlighted the potential of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 to unlock significant value across the country’s energy value chain, provided the reforms are effectively implemented.

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The observation was made at the 2026 Oil and Gas Symposium organised by the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE) in Abuja.

The event brought together engineers, policymakers, fiscal experts, and industry practitioners to explore how tax reforms, innovation, and engineering efficiency can reposition Nigeria’s energy sector for sustainable growth.

Dr Yetunde Aladeitan, National Chairman of NIPetE and Director of the Energy Research Centre at the University of Abuja, emphasised that Nigeria’s energy future must move decisively from crude oil dependency to value-driven, innovation-led growth. She urged stakeholders to adopt global best practices and prioritise value optimisation over crude exports.

Speaking at the high-level virtual symposium themed ‘Beyond the Barrel: Tax Reforms, Value Chain Optimization, and the Future of Nigerian Energy’, Dr Aladeitan described the sector’s prospects as “promising” but cautioned that success would depend on translating policy reforms into practical outcomes.

Ali Rabiu, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, represented by Deputy President Valerie Agberagba, described the symposium theme as timely and critical.

He stressed that Nigeria must transition towards a diversified energy ecosystem underpinned by sound fiscal policies, gas development, and value-chain efficiency.

Delivering the keynote address, Abudukerimu Sule, on behalf of Mr Momoh Oyarekhua, outlined how the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 could stimulate upstream efficiency, attract both foreign and local investment, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global energy market.

A panel session featuring industry experts including Ehimhen Okoh-Agunloye, Bukola Olusola, Adesola Adebawo, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams, and Abayomi Abiona discussed gas transition strategies, upstream and midstream optimisation, fiscal incentives, and engineering innovation as drivers of sustainable energy development.

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Participants agreed that beyond policy reforms, the key challenge is translating regulatory frameworks into measurable, practical benefits across the oil and gas value chain, reinforcing Aladeitan’s long-standing call for innovation-led growth.