President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted approval for the issuance of essential regulatory licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project — a landmark multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located along the border of 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 for the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy (BOGAA) in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State. This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday.
According to the minister, the activation of all national assets and facilities geared toward revitalizing Nigeria’s oil sector remains a top priority for the Tinubu-led administration.
“This informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for us to ensure that all outstanding critical regulatory licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project were issued,” Lokpobiri stated.
He noted that the President’s vision for Nigeria’s energy sector is rooted in leveraging the nation’s vast fossil fuel reserves to drive economic growth and national prosperity. Lokpobiri added that Bauchi State’s proactive role in this vision, marked by the establishment of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, positions the region as a key player in developing the human capital necessary to support the sector’s growth.
“The Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), will continue to champion advancements in human capacity and cutting-edge technology. It is my hope that this academy will forge a sustainable partnership with PTDF to secure the future of the oil and gas industry,” the minister said.
First inaugurated in November 2022, the Kolmani Integrated Development Project marked the historic commencement of crude oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. The project, centered around the Kolmani River II oil field, holds significant economic potential for the region and the nation at large.
In a related development last week, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, confirmed plans to resume drilling operations in the Kolmani oil fields, further signaling renewed momentum for oil exploration activities in the North.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, commended the Federal Government’s unwavering support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the success of the academy.
“This institution will serve as a hub for skill acquisition, innovation, and professional development — benefiting not just Bauchi State, but the entire country,” Governor Mohammed said.
