Efficiency - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Apr, Fri, 2025

Align operations, investments with PIA framework for efficiency – SPE

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Council, has underscored the need to align operations and investments within the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) framework, to ensure the sector’s transparency, efficiency and investors’ confidence.

Dr Amina Danmadami, Chairman SPE, Nigeria Council, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at its 2025 edition of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF).

The OLEF, with the theme as “Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy and Supply Chain Excellence” was hosted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

Danmadami who reaffirmed their commitment towards ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remained future-proof, competitive and sustainable, described the implementation of the PIA as a landmark reform.

“The path to sustainability in our context is not one of displacement, but one of optimisation, leveraging technology to drive efficiency, tightening our supply chains and creating enabling policies to enhance sector resilience.

“Technology, whether through digital oilfields, reservoir optimisation, AI-based predictive maintenance or enhanced recovery techniques, continues to be a powerful enabler.

“With the right investments and strategic partnerships, these innovations can significantly improve productivity, reduce environmental impact and enhance asset integrity,” she said.

She emphasised the need for a robust supply chain for cost competitiveness and business continuity in the oil and gas industry, adding that the supply chain excellence must be a strategic priority.

“From local content development to procurement integrity and logistics optimisation, a robust supply chain is vital for cost competitiveness and business continuity.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Mr Ahmed Aminu, represented by Ifeoma Nwokeike, General Manager, Projects, PTDF, assured of robust partnership in advancing critical programmes and initiatives in the Oil and Gas sector

Aminu said since 2015, PTDF had remained a consistent supporter of the OLEF, recognising its strategic value as a platform for policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement and forward-thinking discourse on energy development in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The annual lecture series, commemorating the historic 1956 oil discovery at Oloibiri, represents more than a celebration of our petroleum legacy.

“It reflects our collective aspirations for sustainable energy growth through innovation, strategic partnerships, and capacity building.

“As the agency mandated to build human and institutional capacity for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, we understand the critical interplay between robust policy, technological advancement and supply chain resilience in achieving energy security.

“PTDF remains committed to supporting initiatives like OLEF that drive innovation, empower professionals and shape policies that will define the future of energy in Nigeria,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Trade, investment ministry to go fully digital by December – Oduwole

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Tue, 2025

Economy/Business

Trade, investment ministry to go fully digital by December – Oduwole

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, says the ministry will fully digitise its operations by the end of 2025 to enhance efficiency.

Oduwole said this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and the AIG Imoukhuede Foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.

The ceremony took place on the sideline of the Top Management Retreat of the ministry and its agencies.

The minister emphasised the urgency for the digital transition.

According to her, the ministry is just about to start that journey, and the deadline is the end 2025.

“I believe that this ministry is poised to serve Nigeria in a very special way.

“This effort underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and streamlining operations within the ministry.”

The minister commended all heads of agencies and parastatals under the ministry for their contributions towards driving and ensuring a digitised and effective ministry.

The Co-Founder, AIG Imoukhuede Foundation, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, expressed the commitment of the foundation to ensure the success of the initiative.

“We firmly believe that the future of Nigeria’s socio-economic development depends strongly on you, the public sector. You are the engine room of growth and development,” she said.

According to her, the foundation has previously played a pivotal role in digitalising the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, turning it into a fully automated institution.

Aig-Imoukhuede said that the partnership would focus on three key pillars: digitalisation, capacity building and performance management.

“The first pillar will move the ministry from manual to automated processes, bringing it in line with 21st-century standards.

“We picked your ministry, because we firmly believe in the work that you are doing.

“Our support will ensure that key trade and industrial policies are executed with greater efficiency,” she said.

She said that capacity building remained a crucial component of the initiative, with efforts geared toward equipping civil servants with the necessary skills to leverage emerging technologies.

“Additionally, performance management systems will be developed to track progress and ensure that the reform efforts yield tangible results.

“We want to help to develop a robust performance management system because that will help to drive the reform efforts,” she said.

Highlight of the event was the signing of a performance bond between the ministry, heads of agencies under its supervision and AIG Imoukhuede foundation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities to mark Oduwole’s 100 days in office.(NAN)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Expert urges FG to digitalise civil service for efficiency

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Wed, 2025

Science & Tech

Expert urges FG to digitalise civil service for efficiency

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By Diana Omueza

Dr Gabriel Akinremi, a data privacy and protection expert, has urged the Federal Government to digitalise the civil service for efficiency, enhance service delivery and data protection.

Akinremi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja in commemoration of Global Data Privacy Day.

The Data Privacy Day is globally celebrated on Jan. 28 to raise awareness on the importance of protecting personal information and promoting privacy practice.

The week is celebrated in Nigeria by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, with the theme “Fostering Trust and Inclusion Through Data Privacy”.

Akinremi said that as governments across the globe were digitalising public services, Nigeria needed to follow to enhance the service, provide digital protections and privacy for identities of civil servants.

“As the digital transformation of governmental operations is gaining momentum worldwide, Nigeria should not be an exception, ” he said.

He said that the introduction of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), was central to Nigeria’s efforts at modernising public services and streamlining interactions with citizens.

Akinremi said that transforming the digital identity management in Nigeria’s civil service would reduce the threats, breaches, losses and misuse of civil servants data

He also said that the digitalisation of the civil service would bring significant improvement in the service, aid effective monitoring, and improve public sector transparency and accountability.

“Digital transformation will ensure compliance to rules and regulations, and most importantly, ensure the protection and privacy of civil servants data.

“It would also improve the resilience of digital identity systems and advance the privacy rights of Nigerian civil servants,” he said.

According to him, the enactment, implementation and enforcement of compliance on data protection regulations in civil service remains crucial for its digitalisation.

Akinremi urged the government to invest in standard cyber-security technologies and skilled personnel to prevent cyber-attacks of civil service data-base.

He gave advice on the need for regular audit and assessment of the digital identity systems to easily identify threats and vulnerabilities, and provide swift solutions to dangers.

NAN reports that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission recently launched the National Certification Programme for Data Protection Officers (DPOs). (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman