The Chairman of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Board and CEO of First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, Adeyemi-Bero, has called on Nigerian oil producers to halt the export of raw crude and prioritize domestic refining.

Speaking at the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Pre-Conference Workshop in Lagos, Adeyemi-Bero warned that continued reliance on crude exports risks long-term economic decline as global partners secure feedstock for their own industries.

Under the theme “Revitalising Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development,” the workshop focused on repositioning Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for value retention and industrial growth. Adeyemi-Bero criticized decades of crude exports, stating, “We’ve exported oil for 40–50 years, blaming Shell – but they’re businesses seeking feedstock. If we give it, they’ll take it.”

He praised the Dangote refinery’s contribution to GDP and foreign exchange stability, suggesting that if such infrastructure had been built earlier, Nigeria’s economic trajectory would have been significantly different. “President Tinubu would have reinstated subsidies without it – but now, let’s decline exports,” he said. He also proposed selling oil in naira through mutual agreements to strengthen the local currency: “If we sell oil in naira, it strengthens it – that’s value.”

Adeyemi-Bero urged Nigeria to emulate countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, and Brazil, which have built robust value chains around their energy sectors. “Nigeria wants a $1 trillion economy – energy access is key. Oil and gas can enable it, but we must keep it local,” he said, adding that international oil companies (IOCs) have “done their bit,” and it is now up to Nigerians to take ownership of the sector’s future.

NAPE President Johnbosco Uche welcomed the call, emphasizing the importance of the workshop in shaping strategies to meet and sustain a production target of 3 million barrels per day. The forum precedes the full NAPE conference and is expected to influence policy discussions around energy security and sustainability.

The appeal comes amid Nigeria’s continued reliance on fuel imports despite producing 1.7 million barrels per day. While the Dangote refinery’s 650,000 bpd capacity has begun easing diesel supply constraints, it has yet to fully address petrol demand. Industry observers view Adeyemi-Bero’s remarks as a timely call for policy reform and strategic investment in refining capacity.