May Message from the President – NAPE
Dear Esteemed Members of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE),
I extend my warm greetings as we step into the month of May and sincerely appreciate your continued commitment, engagement, and support in advancing the strategic priorities of our great Association. The progress we continue to record reflects our shared vision and collective dedication, reinforcing NAPE’s position as a leading professional body within Nigeria’s petroleum and broader energy landscape.
May begins with the observance of Workers Day, a period that recognizes the dedication, resilience, and contributions of professionals across all sectors. It offers an opportunity for us to reflect on the value of expertise, discipline, and collaboration, and to reaffirm our commitment to advancing geoscience practice and energy development in Nigeria.
I am pleased to note that activities across the Association continue to gain momentum, particularly as preparations progress steadily for the 44th NAPE Annual International Conference and Exhibition. The Call for Abstracts, conference registration, and the drive for sponsorship remain ongoing, and I encourage all members and stakeholders to take advantage of these opportunities to contribute, participate, and support what promises to be a significant gathering for our Association.
In further demonstration of our commitment to strengthening technical capacity and professional engagement, successful Technical and Business Meetings were held across several chapters during the period under review, including, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Warri, Uyo/Calabar, and the UK Europe Chapter, and National. These engagements continue to serve as important platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development across our local and international community.
In line with our commitment to developing future industry professionals, the NAPE Basin Evaluation Competition has been announced, with registration currently ongoing. This annual programme provides a practical platform for simulating real world exploration and field development scenarios. I encourage universities to actively enroll their teams, and I also call on experienced members of our Association to volunteer as mentors, contributing their expertise to guide and support participating teams.
Recognition of excellence remains central to our values as an Association. The NAPE Distinguished Honours and Awards process is ongoing, and I encourage members to nominate deserving colleagues whose contributions reflect professionalism, leadership, and impact within the geoscience and energy industry.
Our commitment to strengthening academia and knowledge sharing also remains steadfast. The April UAP Lecture Series was successfully delivered, providing valuable insights and reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration between academia and industry, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
On April 4, 2026, the NAPE Young Professionals (NAPE-YP) commemorated World Geologists’ Day 2026 (officially observed on April 5) with an excursion to Olumo Rock in Ogun State. The event brought together about 50 young professionals, and I was present alongside Ademola Lanisa and Ifeanyi Obi Ph.D., for a day focused on learning, networking, and mentorship. Activities included a guided climb, cultural and geological exploration of Olumo Rock, alongside an interactive Q&A session where industry experts shared insights on career development, strategic positioning, and continuous learning. A standout moment was the creative “Geology of the Cake” segment, which added a fun, technical twist to the celebration. Overall, the event effectively blended technical engagement, mentorship, and community building, reinforcing efforts to develop the next generation of geoscience professionals.
As we look ahead, the call for the NAPE 2026 Elections has been officially released. Members are kindly advised to refer to the official mail notification for detailed information on nomination procedures and other relevant guidelines, and to actively engage in the process.
I would also like to remind members of the importance of maintaining active membership status, as this remains essential to fully benefit from NAPE’s programmes, professional platforms, and opportunities.
In addition, I respectfully appeal for continued support of the ongoing Fundraising Drive for the Purchase of a NAPE Secretariat Building, a strategic legacy project aimed at securing a permanent home for our Association and strengthening our long-term institutional capacity.
I remain confident in the strength of our Association and optimistic about the future we are building together. Through our shared commitment, professionalism, and collective effort, we will continue to strengthen NAPE’s impact and advance the frontiers of our profession.
Thank you for your continued dedication and support.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi, FNAPE
President,
Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE)
( 2025 to 2026)