The NNPC Ltd/FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture has achieved a significant operational milestone, recording 10 million man-hours without a Lost Time Incident (LTI) across its operations on Petroleum Mining Leases (PML) 53 and 54.
The remarkable achievement was commemorated with a dinner and award ceremony held recently in Lagos, drawing participation from industry leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders in the energy sector.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the JV’s commitment to safety and excellence, calling the milestone a proud moment for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“This is a celebration of the oil and gas sector. Ten million Lost Time Incident-Free Man-Hours is an outstanding record,” Lokpobiri said. “Planning alone doesn’t achieve this it takes a deliberate, sustained effort by every staff member. The leadership and workforce of FIRST E&P deserve full commendation.”
The Minister also lauded FIRST E&P’s Managing Director, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, for his exemplary leadership and for representing Nigeria with distinction in his role as Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors.
In his remarks, Adeyemi-Bero attributed the achievement to strong collaboration across the board from internal teams to external contractors and partners.
“This is a shared success,” he said. “Our contractors, service providers, and partners many of whom are with us tonight played an essential role in reaching this milestone. At FIRST E&P, we’ve built a company over nearly 13 years with a ‘safety-first’ culture at its core.”
Also speaking at the event, Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, celebrated the JV’s performance and its wider contributions to the sector.
“This is no small feat. Ten million safe man-hours is a reflection of vigilance, professionalism, and dedication to operational excellence. FIRST E&P continues to distinguish itself among Nigeria’s top oil producers, delivering over 54,000 barrels per day.”
The LTI-free milestone reflects industry best practices in safety, planning, and operations management, reinforcing the JV’s position as a key player in Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.
