Port Harcourt Crowned Nigeria’s Premier Energy City

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Port Harcourt has seized the spotlight as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City, following a landmark investiture by the Society of Energy Editors. The recognition cements the city’s reputation as the beating heart of the nation’s oil, gas, and energy economy.

At the Government House ceremony, Rivers State’s Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas—represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika—vowed to safeguard investors, enforce fiscal discipline, and champion investor-friendly policies to unlock fresh opportunities in gas, crude refining, and petrochemicals.

“Port Harcourt is Nigeria’s energy heritage and the cradle of industrial dreams,” Ibas declared. “This investiture is not just recognition of our past—it is a challenge to make Port Harcourt the energy capital of Africa.”

To back the declaration, the state unveiled a five-pillar strategic plan:

1. Drive renewable energy diversification

2. Strengthen local content

3. Build world-class infrastructure

4. Champion environmental stewardship

5. Reinforce global ties through the World Energy Cities Programme and a flagship Annual Energy Conference.

Chairman of the Society of Energy Editors, Malam Yakubu Lawal, confirmed a forthcoming Memorandum of Agreement with Rivers State to lure global investment and place Port Harcourt shoulder-to-shoulder with 15 other energy powerhouses worldwide.

Rivers State University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, spotlighted the city’s energy journey since oil was struck in Oloibiri in 1956. He called for renewable adoption, stronger collaboration, and educational reforms to prepare young Nigerians for the next energy revolution.

The Rivers State Government wrapped the event with an open call to private sector partners and a charge to youth to fuel the city’s energy future with innovation and creativity.