By Adedapo Adesanya
The Vice-President, Mr Kashim Shettima, has welcomed ExxonMobil’s proposed $10 billion investment in Nigeria’s deep-water oil operations, describing it as a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investment-friendly policies.
This is coming despite the planned divestment of its onshore assets to Seplat Energy.
ExxonMobil aims to inject $1 billion annually into maintenance operations and an additional $1.5 billion to boost production by 50,000 barrels per day over the next few years.
Mr Shettima stated this during a high-level meeting with ExxonMobil executives on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
According to him, “This potential investment by ExxonMobil aligns perfectly with the President Bola Tinubu administration’s vision for a more investment-friendly Nigeria.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment for such transformative projects.”
The vice-president elaborated on the President Tinubu administration’s efforts in ensuring ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda places a strong emphasis on ease of doing business. We have initiated comprehensive reforms to streamline bureaucratic processes, enhance transparency and provide fiscal incentives that make Nigeria an attractive destination for global investors.”
Mr Shettima highlighted recent policy changes by the administration, saying: “Our administration has taken bold steps to unify the exchange rate, remove fuel subsidies, and implement tax reforms.
“These decisions, while challenging in the short term, are designed to create a more stable and predictable business environment in the long run.”
Addressing the specific concerns of the oil and gas sector, the vice-president said: “We are actively working on revising the fiscal framework for deep-water operations. Our goal is to strike a balance between attracting investments and ensuring fair returns for the Nigerian people. The potential ExxonMobil investment is a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction.
“As we welcome ExxonMobil’s renewed commitment, we see this as just the beginning. Our doors are open to all investors across various sectors. The message is clear: Nigeria is open for business, and the President Tinubu administration is your partner in progress.”
On his part, the Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil Affiliates in Nigeria, Mr Shane Harris, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in Nigeria.
“Our commitment to Nigeria remains unwavering. As we celebrate 70 years of oil production and 8 billion barrels produced, we’re not retreating but refocusing our investments on deep-water opportunities,” Harris said.
The centerpiece of ExxonMobil’s new strategy is the Owo project, a substantial subsea tie-back that could represent a $10 billion investment.
“We’re working closely with the president’s office and the Special Adviser to the President to secure favourable fiscal arrangements that will make this significant investment possible,” Mr Harris explained.