World · Africa · 11 hrs ago
Nigeria backs Saudi Arabia and calls for cooperation on energy supplies
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, said his country stands with Saudi Arabia after recent attacks.
He spoke at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, where Nigeria sent a delegation despite concerns about the attacks.
Lokpobiri said energy supply challenges affect global markets, not just one country.
He called for countries to share expertise and work together to keep energy available and affordable.
Nigeria used to export crude oil while importing nearly all the refined petroleum products it needed.
The minister said imports have fallen to about 10 percent as local refining capacity has grown, with the Dangote refinery serving the domestic market and supplying some foreign markets.
Nigeria now has a surplus of some products, especially aviation fuel, which could contribute to international supplies.
Lokpobiri said developing local refineries can strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on imports.
Nigeria expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia after recent attacks and called for international cooperation on energy security.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri said Nigeria’s president directed the delegation to attend the conference in Saudi Arabia.
Lokpobiri said energy challenges affect global markets and require cooperation to keep supplies reliable and affordable.
He said Nigeria’s imports of refined petroleum products have fallen to about 10 per cent as domestic refining capacity has grown.
The Dangote refinery can supply Nigeria’s domestic market and export petroleum products, including to European markets.
- Who
- Nigeria, represented by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
- What
- Nigeria backed Saudi Arabia and urged international cooperation to address energy security challenges and ensure reliable, affordable supplies.
- When
- October 12, 2026, according to the article’s publication date; the conference remarks were made at the World Petroleum Congress.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Lokpobiri said energy challenges affect global markets and require countries to work together on reliable, affordable supplies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nigeria relied on imports for most of its refined petroleum products while exporting crude oil.
Lokpobiri said Nigeria’s refined-product imports had fallen to about 10 per cent as domestic refining capacity increased.
Asharq Al-Awsat published its report on Nigeria’s statements of solidarity and calls for energy cooperation.
- Speaker
- Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources
- Conference location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Refined-product imports
- About 10 per cent
- Refinery
- Dangote refinery
- Article publication date
- October 12, 2026
What people are saying
The challenges facing the energy sector are not limited to one country; their effects extend to various global markets.
The current energy crisis requires countries to strengthen cooperation and exchange expertise.
Sources
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