The Federal Government has said Nigeria is prepared to step in as a reliable supplier in the global oil market as tensions in the Gulf region continue to threaten energy flows and push countries to seek alternative sources.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the position known in an interview with the BBC’s Victoria Uwonkunda, stating that Nigeria is ready to support efforts aimed at stabilising global energy supply.
“Nigeria is ever ready to contribute to energy security around the world. Whatever Nigeria can do to ease tension, it will do. The world needs oil, and Nigeria is there,” Idris said.
The minister’s comments come against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, which has already affected critical oil infrastructure and heightened concerns over the safety of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route through which a significant portion of the world’s crude oil is transported.
In Africa, the impact is already being felt, with countries such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa increasingly turning to the Dangote Refinery for fuel supply.
Idris also addressed domestic security concerns during the interview, including the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, which have renewed public anxiety.
“I don’t think Nigerian security agencies have failed. Although more work needs to be done. They are working around the clock to ensure that this does not happen again,” he said.
Idris noted that while such incidents remain troubling, the North-East has recorded improvements in stability over the years due to sustained military operations and government interventions.
On the broader economic outlook, the minister said ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to yield positive results, enhancing Nigeria’s global standing and attracting international interest.
Speaking on the President’s recent engagements during the state visit to the United Kingdom, he said; “This visit underscores the historical relationship, the cultural ties, and the economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. We hope that we will deepen it further in the interest of both countries.”
The Minister maintained that the Federal Government will continue to strengthen security at home while positioning Nigeria as a dependable partner in the global energy market amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
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