“This is our opportunity to build a selfless, prosperous Nigeria that uplifts Africa and contribute to the peace” – NNPC GCEO at #NIES2026
Oredola Adeola
Nigeria’s roadmap to economic growth and continental leadership relies heavily on gas as a strategic enabler for industrialization, economic development, and regional cooperation.
Engr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, made this known in his address at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
According to him, NNPC Ltd’s Gas Masterplan, coupled with key infrastructure projects like the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipelines, and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) expansion, are not merely infrastructure ventures.
He insisted that they are “highways for economic opportunity,” said Group CEO of NNPC Ltd,
Engr. Ojulari said, “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.
“It is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialization, and our foundation for export-led growth,” Ojulari stated during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Describing what he termed Africa’s energy trilemma, the NNPC’s GCEO noted that while the continent is endowed with vast energy resources, it still struggles with accessibility, affordability, and sustainability — with over 600 million Africans living without electricity.
“With 37 billion barrels of crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, Nigeria and NNPC Ltd are ready to lead the charge in changing this narrative,” he added.
Ojulari emphasised that Africa cannot rely on “copy-and-paste” solutions from other regions,
He affirmed that instead, energy systems must be just, equitable, and people-centered, lifting citizens out of poverty, powering industries, supporting agriculture, transforming transportation, and unleashing the creativity of Africa’s youth.
The NNPC Ltd GCEO explained that the gas infrastructure projects are not just technical investments but also catalysts for cultural and economic transformation.
“Beyond pipelines, these are instruments of peace, stability, and prosperity,” he said, noting efforts to nurture a new generation of professionals grounded in accountability, excellence, and national service.
Highlighting Nigeria’s global ambition, Ojulari said the country is positioning itself as a competitive investment destination, with a strong foundation for sustainable energy growth, regional collaboration, and industrial expansion.
“Our vision is clear: an Africa rising through innovation, industrialization, and energy-driven development. Energy should be a bridge to prosperity, never a barrier,” he said.
