The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has reiterated Nigeria’s determination to strengthen partnerships with fellow African nations in the pursuit of sustainable energy security across the continent.
Ojulari made this known at the 7th African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) National Oil Companies CEOs Forum, where he urged African countries to fast-track energy transition strategies and take decisive steps in safeguarding the continent’s energy future.
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Highlighting the steady withdrawal of European investments from fossil fuel refineries—many of which are projected to shut down by 2030—he stressed the urgency for Africa to harness its vast energy resources for the benefit of its people.
“Africa must take ownership of its resources and policies. Our policies should be designed by us. With our vast resource base and improved governance structures, I am confident the continent can secure its energy destiny,” Ojulari said.
The NNPC GCEO outlined key infrastructure projects driving Nigeria’s energy expansion, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project and the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, which extends the existing West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) to improve cross-border energy trade.
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According to him, the first phase will see the pipeline extended to Côte d’Ivoire before reaching Morocco. “When we started, we faced challenges with alignment, payments, and collaboration, but today the framework is working,” he noted.
Ojulari further emphasized the enabling environment created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which continues to attract fresh investments across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.
On security, he announced that Nigeria has achieved 100% pipeline availability for the first time in 20 years, following improved partnerships with host communities and security agencies—a milestone that has renewed investor confidence in the resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure.
Benchmarking against global industry leaders such as Petrobras, Petronas, and Saudi Aramco, Ojulari reaffirmed NNPC Ltd.’s readiness to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive Africa’s collective progress towards energy independence.