President Tinubu Clears the Way for Major Oil Project in Northern Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for key regulatory licenses tied to the Kolmani Integrated Development Project — a major oil exploration effort stretching across Bauchi and Gombe states.
This announcement came from Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), during the launch of the permanent site for the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area. The event marked a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s energy ambitions.
Speaking at the commissioning, Lokpobiri shared that the President’s directive reflects a clear focus: unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s oil sector and create a ripple effect of growth nationwide.
“These licenses weren’t just paperwork,” he said. “They are the push we needed to fully activate a project that could shift the course of the energy landscape in this region.”
The academy, located within the Kolmani region, is designed to serve as a talent hub — preparing skilled professionals to fuel the oil and gas industry for years to come. Lokpobiri stressed that Nigeria’s large fossil fuel reserves mean nothing without investing in the people who will manage and drive the sector’s future.
He added that the Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), remains committed to backing training and technology initiatives that support long-term progress.
The Kolmani project first launched in November 2022, marking the beginning of oil drilling operations in Northern Nigeria — a historic shift for the region. It’s based at the Kolmani River II oil field, a border zone shared by Bauchi and Gombe states.
Bayo Ojulari, head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), recently confirmed that drilling activities would soon resume at the site.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of the new academy.
“This place is more than a school — it’s where future innovators and problem solvers will be shaped,” he said. “And its impact will stretch far beyond our state borders.”
With strong support from both state and federal governments, the Kolmani region is quickly becoming a symbol of what can happen when vision meets action.
