The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has called for bold global partnerships and increased investment to tackle energy poverty across Africa.
The call was made by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, during the “Energy Talk” session at the ongoing Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday.
Responding to questions from host and Pulitzer Prize-winning energy author Daniel Yergin, Ojulari emphasized Nigeria’s central role in Africa’s energy landscape and described NNPC as a key driver of energy sufficiency on the continent. He highlighted Nigeria’s vast oil, gas, and renewable energy potentials, noting that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the country is shifting from an extractive economy to a diversified, investment-driven energy hub.
“Africa’s energy future must be built on pragmatism, partnerships, and purpose. At NNPC Limited, we are not just participating in the energy transition; we are shaping it from an African perspective. Our focus is pragmatic: grow production, monetize gas, deepen partnerships, and deliver value to Nigerians and global partners alike,” he said.
Ojulari revealed that Nigeria’s oil output has risen to 1.7 million barrels per day, with targets of 2 million barrels by 2027 and 3 million in the long term. This growth is driven by redefined relationships with international oil companies (IOCs) and independent operators, removal of legacy barriers, and alignment on shared value.
He also reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to collaborating with OPEC peers, African national oil companies (NOCs), and financial institutions to attract $30–$60 billion in fresh investment by 2030. Key initiatives include upstream field development, gas infrastructure expansion through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) and Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipelines, and rollout of cleaner energy programs, including the Presidential CNG Initiative and expanded autogas corridors.
Echoing UAE Minister of Industry and ADNOC CEO Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who stressed the need for “pragmatic, not performative” energy policies and $4 trillion in annual global investment, Ojulari urged stakeholders to co-invest in Africa’s energy future. “Our message is clear: Nigeria is open for business, and NNPC Limited is fit for the future,” he concluded.
This year’s ADIPEC, hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is the 41st edition and carries the theme: “Energy. Intelligence. Impact.”