Nigeria’s Oil Minister, Sen Heineken Lokpobori, has won the coveted ” Most Influential Niger Delta Personality” Award in the 2026 edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards, MIMA. A statement issued in Lagos over the weekend by Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, revealed that Lokpobiri polled 42.1 per cent votes cast to beat his closest rivals, Amb. Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF (33.9) per cent, and Dr Dennis Otuaro, Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme(24) per cent. Sen Lokpobiri succeeds Chief Government Ekpomupolo aka Tompolo who was winner in the same category in the previous edition. The Maritime Industry Merit Award, which enters its 27th Edition this year is aimed at rewarding excellence in Nigeria’s maritime sector. Born on March 3, 1967, Sen Lokpobiri who holds a doctorate degree in law was pioneer Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. He also served as Senator representing Bayelsa West between between 2007 and 2015. Regarded as a consumate and cerebral politician, Lokpobiri served under the Late President Buhari as Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculure and Rural Development.
He was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 to oversee the oil sector reforms. Under his watch, Nigeria has been granted the right to host the headquarters of the Africa Energy Bank. Lokpobiri is also said to have successfully supervised four major divestments bids in the Oil sector. It is also to his credit that Nigeria’s daily production out put has risen to at about 1 8bpd, from less than 1mbpd when the present administration came into office. Under Lokpobiri as Oil Minister, fuel queues have literally disappeared from our filling stations. Lokpobiri’s new year wish is to raise our daily production to 2mbpd. A product of the Niger Delta Struggle, Sen Heineken Lokpobiri’s dream is for a prosperious Niger Delta where peace reigns supreme. His investiture as Most Influential Niger Delta Personality is billed to hold at the Oriental Hotel Lagos on Monday, March 30, 2026