President Bola Tinubu has approved the issuance of critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative situated between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the disclosure during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday, said the move aligns with the President’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s oil sector by activating all necessary national facilities.
“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,” the Minister was quoted as saying.
Lokpobiri said the administration remained focused on harnessing the energy sector as a catalyst for national prosperity. He commended Bauchi State for establishing the oil and gas academy, noting that it positions the state as a key player in the human capital development needed to support the sector.
“Given our vast fossil fuel reserves, the Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has continued to champion advancements in human capacity and technology,” he said.
The Minister expressed hope that the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy would establish a strong partnership with the PTDF to ensure long-term success and sustainability in the sector.
The Kolmani Integrated Development Project, first inaugurated in November 2022, marked the beginning of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. It is located in the Kolmani River II oil field, a border community between Bauchi and Gombe states.