Ojulari tells global energy leaders at NIES 2026 that gas is central to Nigeria’s industrial growth, energy transition, and Africa’s fight against energy poverty
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has said Nigeria has a responsibility, as an emerging global energy powerhouse, to deploy its vast gas resources to drive Africa’s development and contribute to global energy stability.
Ojulari made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to a statement issued by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.
He described Nigeria’s natural gas endowment as a critical pathway to national prosperity, industrial growth, and long-term economic resilience.
Ojulari said Africa must prioritise inclusive and people-focused energy solutions, noting that more than 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity.
“Nigeria’s pathway to a prosperous future lies in our collective ability to leverage our resource abundance, especially as gas sits at the heart of our strategy,” he said. “It is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialisation, and our foundation for export-led growth.”
The NNPC GCEO highlighted what he described as Africa’s energy trilemma, the challenge of balancing accessibility, affordability, and sustainability despite the continent’s vast energy resources.
He noted that Nigeria, with an estimated 37 billion barrels of crude oil and about 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, is well positioned to lead efforts to change Africa’s energy narrative.
“With over 600 million Africans still lacking electricity, the continent’s priority cannot be copy-and-paste solutions,” Ojulari said. “Ours must be a just, equitable, people-centred energy approach — one that lifts people out of poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, transforms transportation, and unlocks the creativity of Africa’s youth.”
Ojulari added that NNPC Limited’s role extends beyond commercial operations, describing the national oil company as an enabler of peace, prosperity, and regional stability.
He cited progress on key gas infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, and the expansion of the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), as part of efforts to improve gas accessibility and position gas as the primary fuel for industrialisation and economic growth.
In a related development, the Dangote Group announced on February 1, 2025, that three of its subsidiaries had strengthened gas supply agreements with NNPC Limited entities to support their expansion plans, in line with Nigeria’s drive toward cleaner energy and industrial development.
The agreements involve Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Plant, and Dangote Cement Plc, working with Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited and NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company. The contracted gas volumes were not disclosed.
The deals come as Nigeria intensifies efforts to scale gas production and utilisation across the economy, leveraging the sector to stimulate industrial growth, attract investment, and improve critical infrastructure.
