The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has advised Africa to come up with bankable energy projects as one of the ways of ensuring a sustainable energy future.
He made the call on Monday at the ongoing three-day Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian Council’s 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibiton holding in Lagos.
Ojulari, who is also a board member of the SPE Nigerian Council, said Africa must not only compete for available capital, but make a case for why its energy landscape is bankable.
“Government and stakeholders must co-create an industry that is attractive for investments,” he said, adding that energy transition is not just about the resources but also about the people.
This year’s conference is themed ‘Building A Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy’.
Speaking further, Ojulari called for bold leadership in reshaping Africa’s energy landscape, adding that the future of energy is neither linear nor predetermined.
He said, “It will be shaped by leadership and investment.
“The future of energy must be inclusive of the people. It must deepen strategic engagement across borders and across the globe.
“Constructive dialogues across all stakeholders must be held, to align national priorities with global goals.”
He impressed that energy transition must not be imposed but negotiated with natural gas being recognised as the transitional fuel for Africa.