The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed its commitment to resume oil exploration in Borno State’s Lake Chad Basin, more than two years after activities were suspended.
The commitment followed a meeting between the company’s management and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, in Maiduguri on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
NNPCL’s board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, led the delegation, which discussed the resumption of exploration, energy development and other investment opportunities in the state.
According to The Guardian, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, said the company was prepared to work with the state government and host communities to restart exploration activities across the basin, which covers seven local government areas.
Governor Zulum assured the company of adequate security, disclosing that military personnel, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force had been deployed to protect exploration sites and equipment.
He also urged NNPCL to honour its earlier commitment to supply gas for the project, explaining that the withdrawal of gas supply contributed to the suspension of operations.
The governor expressed concern that exploration equipment had remained unused at the sites for more than two years, stressing the need for upgrades to facilitate the resumption of activities.
Beyond oil exploration, the meeting also addressed the proposed solar power project and the delayed upgrade of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
NNPCL assured the state government that it would work towards resolving the challenges affecting the projects and accelerating exploration activities.
The planned resumption is expected to renew interest in the hydrocarbon potential of the Lake Chad Basin, although the company has not announced a specific date for the return of full exploration operations.
Sources: The Guardian | BusinessDay | NNPCL
