President Bola Tinubu has approved regulatory approvals for licences required for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

The project is a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located between Bauchi and Gombe states.

This was confirmed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted Lokpobiri as saying the approvals were part of efforts to ramp up oil production by activating all available hydrocarbon platforms across the country.

He said, “The imperative to activate all available oil platforms for increased production led President Bola Tinubu to grant approvals for the issuance of all critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Projects.”

Lokpobiri noted that the administration was committed to leveraging the full potential of Nigeria’s energy resources to drive industrial growth, create jobs and boost national revenue.

“Mr President is intentional about transforming our energy landscape into one that fuels industrial growth, creates jobs and enhances national revenue,” he stated.

Commending Bauchi State for aligning with the Federal Government’s energy goals, the minister said the establishment of the oil and gas academy demonstrated the state’s commitment to building local capacity for the sector.

“With this academy, Bauchi is making a strategic contribution to the development of the human capital needed to drive our sector forward,” he added.

The minister also highlighted the importance of developing local capacity to manage Nigeria’s abundant fossil fuel reserves, while commending the Petroleum Technology Development Fund for its role in manpower development.