By Ediri Ejoh

Against backdrop of low investment in the petroleum section, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv, Engr. (Dr.) Emeka Okwuosa, CON, yesterday reiterated the company’s positioning in driving needed investment aswell as investors.

This was revealed at the 2025 Sub-Sahara Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), hosted by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) in Lagos.

Speaking at the panel session on “Maximizing Indigenous Opportunities: Navigating IOC Divestments for Sustainable Growth in Africa’s Oil & Gas Sector,” Okwuosa, who was represented by Managing Director of Frazimex Engineering Limited, Engr. Chuka Eze, said the company has remained a beacon in the transformative agenda of the economy. 

While outlinging its scorecards, he said “Oilserv has been on the front burner of adding value. To this end, the company’s sister companies have positioned itself in setting up strategic strucures that enables it strive. 

“It is interesting to know that FrazEnergy Limited is expanding its footprint in gas utilization and renewable energy, integrating sustainable solutions with traditional oil and gas investments; Frazimex Limited leverages cutting-edge technologies, software, and strategic partnerships to optimize hydrocarbon production while ensuring environmental sustainability.

“Others are Crown Energy, which deploys innovative asset management services and advanced testing technologies – such as Automatic Ultrasound Testing (AUT) – to maintain pipeline integrity and Oilserv Limited who has continues to lead in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, notably through major initiatives like the OB3 gas pipeline and the ongoing Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, which underpin Africa’s energy security and industrialization goals.”

Chuka , hinted that Africa is on the cusp of a transformative era in the energy sector, and is characterized by significant infrastructure developments, progressive policy shifts, and increasing investments in natural gas as a transition fuel. 

According to him, “the industry-wide shift from onshore to offshore operations among both International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Local Oil Companies (LOCs), and embracing this transition positions Africa for long-term success.”

However, we are earnestly demanding for close collaboration with governments and regional bodies to include the African Union and AfCFTA. “The purpose is to drive integrated energy policies, enhance intra-African trade in oil and gas services, and support investments in cross-border infrastructure such as pipelines, LNG terminals, and refineries.

“On capacity building and African content, there is the need for the continent to evolve from mere resource extraction to developing world-class expertise.” 

Highlighting Oilserv’s robust training programs that equip young engineers and technicians with hands-on field experience and global best practices, he stated that “partnerships fostered by Frazimex Limited with renowned global engineering software firms are instrumental in promoting knowledge sharing and building indigenous technical capabilities. 

“However, we need to harmonized cross-border African content regulations to facilitate skilled labour mobility, as collaboration with regional financial institutions like Afrexim Bank and AfCFTA will drive this initiative.”

On regulatory challenges, he identified the importance of streamlining processes to eliminate confusion and inefficiencies, as the recommendation to establishing a clear guidelines—particularly regarding letters of credit—to foster smoother market operations and bolster trust among stakeholders cannot be overemphasized. 

Also, on research and development, Chuka, argued that although, IOCs allocate a significant portion of their revenues to R&D, LOCs can bridge the gap through targeted investments in specialized oil and gas training institutes and tertiary institutions, such as Enugu State University and the UNN nanotechnology programs regularly sponsored by Oilserv. 

“Meanwhile, we are encouraging regional partnerships between universities and industry players to design curricula that align with market needs not only drives educational excellence but also equips graduates with the practical skills required for success. 

“This symbiotic relationship between academia and industry is key to fostering innovation and generating economic growth across Africa.”