Ministers seek oil, gas industry unity as NLNG wins 2026 NOGIG Games

The 20th edition of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) ended on a triumphant note as Team NLNG emerged overall champions with an impressive haul of 20 gold to top the medals table.

The team in addition had 16 silver and 16 bronze medals, as NNPC Ltd. won 14 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze to finish on the second place, while Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board finished third with five gold, eight silver and five bronze.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the win reinforced NLNG dominance at the landmark sporting event that had become a symbol of unity across the petroleum value chain.

The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, underscored the deeper significance of the Games beyond medals and trophies.

“Four decades of cohesion with this 20th edition is “a remarkable milestone,” he said. The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on his part said the Games reflected over four decades of unity, friendship and collaboration within one of Nigeria’s most strategic industries.

The ministers commended the organisers, sponsors and participants for sustaining a “noble initiative” that had grown beyond a mere sporting competition into a powerful platform for cohesion, wellness and shared purpose across the oil and gas ecosystem.

“In an industry as vast and technically demanding as ours, platforms like NOGIG remind us that beyond policies, projects and procurement targets, it is people who drive the process,” Ekpo said.

According to him, the healthy competition, teamwork, discipline and excellence displayed over the past few days, mirror the very foundations upon which Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is built.

The minister linked the spirit of the Games to the ongoing transformation within the petroleum sector, driven by reforms, innovation and a collective commitment to transparency, efficiency and value creation.

He emphasised that a productive workforce must also be a healthy one, noting that initiatives such as NOGIG has helped to promote physical well-being, mental resilience and work-life balance.

These, the minister said, were the critical ingredients for operational excellence and safety in a demanding energy environment. He added,“As we celebrate athletic excellence today, we must recognise that the same teamwork and resilience displayed on the field are essential to achieving our national energy objectives.

“This 20th edition reflects consistency, institutional support and a shared belief that collaboration remains one of the industry’s greatest strengths.”
Speaking after the victory, the General Manager, Production, NLNG, Nnamdi Anowi, described the triumph as a testament not just to athletic preparation but to teamwork and resilience.

“Even if we won by one gold, we are the champions.” Beyond the medals, Anowi highlighted the value of networking and collaboration fostered by the Games. We are busy making connections, talking with people, building those networks we need in the industry.

“NOGIG has boosted collaboration, and the industry will come out better and stronger,” he added.
The last day of events saw keenly contested football final, as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) defeated NLNG by a lone goal to lift the trophy.

The third-place match was equally dramatic, with Oando edging NNPC Ltd. 5–3 on penalties after a goalless draw at full time. The football showpiece drew loud cheers from supporters and further exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship that defined the week-long event.

NAN also reports that trophies and medals were given to the winning teams in all the categories of sports. No fewer than 1,200 athletes participated in the games with 15 oil and gas companies in attendance. NAN