9am News report that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the issuance of all critical regulatory licenses required for the advancement of the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy (BOGAA) in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister emphasized that the activation of national facilities designed to drive Nigeria’s energy transition remains a top priority for the Tinubu administration.
“This informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for us to ensure that all outstanding critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project were issued,” Lokpobiri stated.
The Kolmani Integrated Development Project—initially launched in November 2022—marked a historical shift in Nigeria’s oil exploration geography by extending activities into the northern region. The Kolmani River II oil field, situated at the Bauchi-Gombe border, is now set for intensified drilling operations, as confirmed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) last week.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed that the state-owned firm is prepared to resume drilling operations, positioning Kolmani as a critical asset in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy to Drive Human Capital Development
Senator Lokpobiri also noted that the establishment of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy aligns with the federal government’s broader objective to develop local talent for the energy sector. He emphasized the importance of partnerships between institutions like BOGAA and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) to support sustainable industry growth.
“It is my expectation that the academy will forge a strong partnership with PTDF, ensuring the delivery of long-term success and sustainability for the sector,” he said.
The academy is expected to become a center for technical skill acquisition, innovation, and capacity building, strengthening Nigeria’s pipeline of qualified professionals for the oil and gas sector.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, commended the Federal Government for its continued investment in the region’s development. He reiterated the state’s commitment to supporting the academy and the Kolmani oil venture.
“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” Governor Mohammed said.
With Tinubu’s regulatory backing and new infrastructure developments, the Kolmani project is now poised to make a tangible impact on Nigeria’s oil output, local employment, and technological innovation in the energy sector.
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