By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
Abuja
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are boosting investor confidence and driving a steady rise in Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in offshore oil and gas exploration, according to a press release e-signed by Mary Ali (Mrs), Head Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior on Thursday.
He spoke on Thursday in Abuja while receiving Mr. Jagir Baxi, the newly appointed Chairman, Managing Director, and Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil Nigeria and its affiliates — Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited. The meeting was disclosed in a press release signed by Mary Ali, Head of Press and Public Relations.
“We can increase our production. I sincerely believe we can do more than we are currently doing in oil exploration. We need more investment from ExxonMobil. Investors require the right policies, as well as strategic partnerships and alliances,” Tunji-Ojo said. He assured the ExxonMobil team of the Federal Government’s support, particularly from the Ministry of Interior.
The Minister commended ExxonMobil for its initiatives in developing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially in offshore exploration, and thanked the company for its sustained investment and commitment to the Nigerian economy. Verified statistics show ExxonMobil and its affiliates have invested over $3.5 billion in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Earlier, Mr. Baxi praised the Minister’s reform-driven leadership in repositioning internal security, immigration, emergency management, and correctional services. He reaffirmed ExxonMobil’s commitment to continued investment in Nigeria, with a focus on deep-water resources.
Citing the company’s over 70-year presence in Nigeria, Baxi highlighted the Erha offshore oil and gas platform as a flagship project that has generated over $1 billion in royalties, $22 billion in taxes, and $300 million in levies for the Nigerian economy.
