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Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has emerged as the Most Influential Niger Delta Personality at the 2026 edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA).
A statement issued in Lagos at the weekend by the Chairman of the MIMA Local Organising Committee, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, disclosed that Lokpobiri secured 42.1 percent of the total votes cast, defeating Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), who polled 33.9 percent, and Dr Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, who garnered 24 percent.
Lokpobiri succeeds Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who won the same category at the previous edition of the awards.
Now in its 27th edition, the Maritime Industry Merit Awards recognises outstanding contributions and excellence across Nigeria’s maritime and allied sectors.
Born on March 3, 1967, Senator Lokpobiri holds a doctorate degree in Law and has built a distinguished political career spanning legislative and executive roles. He was the pioneer Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and later served as Senator representing Bayelsa West from 2007 to 2015. He also served as Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 to drive reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector, Lokpobiri has overseen significant milestones, including Nigeria’s successful bid to host the headquarters of the Africa Energy Bank. Under his leadership, the country has also recorded progress in major oil sector divestments and a notable rebound in crude oil production, rising to about 1.8 million barrels per day, from below 1 million bpd at the start of the current administration. Fuel queues, once commonplace, have largely disappeared from filling stations nationwide.
Looking ahead, the Oil Minister has set an ambitious target of raising Nigeria’s daily crude oil output to 2 million barrels per day in the new year.
Widely regarded as a cerebral and pragmatic politician, Lokpobiri is also known as a product of the Niger Delta struggle, with a long-held vision of a peaceful and prosperous region.
His investiture as Most Influential Niger Delta Personality will take place at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, on Monday, March 30, 2026.
