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President Tinubu Unlocks Major Deepwater Investment As OPL 245 Dispute Ends

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has unlocked major deepwater investment with the resolution of OPL 245 dispute. 

The controversy ended with the historic settlement of an agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria, ENI, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL). 

Tinubu made the announcement at a meeting held in his office and attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi; Chief Operating Officer, Guido Brusco; Head of Sub-Saharan Region, Mario Bello; Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Exploration, Fabrizio Bolondi; and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen. 

The agreement terminated the long-standing dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, paving the way for the development of one of Nigeria's most significant deepwater resources.

Signed in Abuja, the agreement marked the resolution of a dispute spanning more than 15 years. It restores clarity and stability to an asset widely recognised as one of Nigeria's most commercially promising deepwater blocks. 

With the dispute now settled, the pathway is clear for Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Zabazaba–Etan development, a project capable of adding approximately 150,000 barrels per day to Nigeria's production capacity and strengthening the country's long-term energy outlook. 

President Tinubu described the agreement as a strategic milestone in Nigeria's economic reform agenda, reaffirming the administration's commitment to resolving legacy disputes, restoring investor confidence, and ensuring that Nigeria's natural resources deliver sustainable value to the Nigerian people.

"This resolution sends a clear signal to global investors that Nigeria is prepared to address legacy issues transparently, uphold the rule of law, and create a stable environment for long-term capital," he said.  

He commended all institutions and stakeholders who contributed to achieving the settlement, including the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), NNPC Limited, and leadership of ENI.

According to the Presidential Adviser on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen: "The settlement also represents a significant improvement on the 2011 Resolution Agreement, reflecting the policy framework established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the administration's broader fiscal and governance reforms in the energy sector.

"The revised terms strike a balanced outcome providing investors with the clarity and predictability required to proceed with major deepwater investments, while ensuring stronger value accretion and safeguards for the Federation." 

The agreement is part of a wider programme of reforms undertaken since 2023 to restore Nigeria's competitiveness in global energy markets. 

Anchored in the Petroleum Industry Act and supported by targeted executive actions, the reforms have already contributed to renewed investor interest and significant capital inflows into Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

"By resolving the OPL 245 dispute, the Federal Government has removed one of the most prominent legacy risks in Nigeria's upstream sector and reinforced its commitment to predictable regulation, transparent governance, and commercially viable investment frameworks," Arowolo-Verjeihen further said.

The successful resolution underscored the Tinubu administration's determination to unlock Nigeria's strategic energy assets, attract responsible investment, and ensure that the nation's resources translate into growth, jobs, and long-term prosperity for Nigerians.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in Abuja.
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