President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of important licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, a major oil exploration project located between Bauchi and Gombe states.
This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
In a statement by his media aide, Nneamaka Okafor on Sunday, Lokpobiri said Tinubu’s approval was part of the government’s plan to fully develop the oil and gas sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave us the approval to ensure all outstanding critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project were issued,” the minister said.
The Kolmani oil project is a multibillion-dollar venture that began in 2022. It is the first major oil drilling operation in Northern Nigeria and is located in the Kolmani River II oil field, which lies on the border between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The minister said the government is focused on using Nigeria’s energy resources to grow the economy and improve lives. He also praised Bauchi State for taking a leading role by establishing the oil and gas academy.
“With Bauchi setting up this academy, the state is helping build the skilled workforce we need for the future of the oil sector,” Lokpobiri said.
He added that the Federal Government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), would continue to support human capacity development and new technologies for the oil sector.
“I expect the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy to work closely with PTDF to ensure long-term success for the industry,” he said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is also expected to resume oil drilling at the Kolmani site soon. This was confirmed last week by the Group Chief Executive of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, thanked the Federal Government for supporting the project and the academy.
“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” the governor said.
The Kolmani project is expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production and create jobs, especially for the people in the North-East region.
