President Bola Tinubu has approved the issuance of critical regulatory licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.

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

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday.

According to the statement, the activation of all national facilities designed to contribute to the transformation of Nigeria’s oil sector remains critical.

“This informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for us to ensure that all outstanding critical regulatory licences for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project were issued.

“I emphasised this point while flagging off the construction of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri (BOGAA), Bauchi State, located within the Kolmani region,” he was quoted as saying.

He said the President’s vision remained focused on harnessing the full potential of the energy sector as a catalyst for national prosperity.

He noted that with Bauchi State embracing this drive through the establishment of the academy, the state was positioning itself as a strategic contributor to the human capital development required to power the sector forward.

“Given our vast fossil fuel reserves, the Federal Government, through PTDF, have continued to champion advancements in human capacity and technology.

“It is my expectation that the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy will forge a strong partnership with PTDF, ensuring the delivery of long-term success and sustainability for the sector,” the statement added.

The Kolmani Integrated Development Project, first inaugurated in November 2022, marked the start of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. It is situated in the Kolmani River II oil field, a border community between Bauchi and Gombe states.

Last week, the Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed that the state-owned energy firm would resume oil drilling in the oil field.

On his part, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, appreciated the Federal Government’s support and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the academy’s success.

“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” the governor added. (Channels TV)