The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, says that Nigeria must take the leadership role in shaping Africa’s energy transition in a way that expands access, keeps energy affordable and supports sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Delivering his welcome address at the 2026 Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), on Tuesday, Ojulari noted that energy is no longer just an economic sector, but a foundation for global peace, security and human development.
With more than 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, the NNPCL boss stated Africa’s energy pathway cannot be a copy-and-paste of models from advanced economies, stressing the need for a just, equitable and people-centred transition.
“Energy must not become a luxury,” he said, adding that modern energy systems determine whether societies can thrive, industries can flourish and nations can remain secure in a rapidly changing world.
He described Nigeria as an emerging global energy powerhouse with a responsibility to empower its citizens, support regional development and contribute meaningfully to global energy stability.
Central to Nigeria’s strategy, according to him, is natural gas, which he described as a bridge to a cleaner future, an engine for industrialization and a foundation for export-led growth.
He disclosed that gas development is already delivering tangible benefits by powering homes, reviving factories, strengthening fertiliser production, enabling manufacturing and expanding foreign exchange earnings.
He highlighted recent milestones, including the unveiling of the NNPCL Gas Master Plan, progress on strategic projects such as the OB3 gas pipeline and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano, AKK, pipeline, as well as plans to expand the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System and advance regional pipeline initiatives.
Ojulari explained that these projects are strengthening domestic gas supply, accelerating gas monetisation and laying the foundation for a competitive, reliable and environmentally responsible energy economy.
Beyond infrastructure, Ojulari said that the NNPCL was undergoing a broader transformation focused on accountability, performance, excellence and national service, while building a new generation of energy professionals.
He attributed recent reforms in the sector to the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, citing fiscal stability, policy liberalisation and improved security as factors positioning Nigeria as a competitive destination for global energy investment.
Looking ahead, the NNPCL chief assured that Nigeria’s ambition is to harness its abundant energy resources responsibly to lift millions out of poverty, drive industrial growth and support Africa’s wider development.
He called on governments, industry players, investors and communities to work together to ensure energy becomes a bridge to peace and prosperity rather than a barrier, urging participants to see the summit as a turning point in Nigeria’s energy future.
GIK/APA