Nigeria’s Vision for Energy Transformation
Nigeria, a key player in Africa’s energy sector, is taking bold steps to address the continent’s energy challenges. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has been advocating for strong global partnerships and investments to combat energy poverty across Africa. This call was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, during the “Energy Talk” session at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2025), held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
During the session, Ojulari engaged with Daniel Yergin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for his insights on energy issues. He emphasized Nigeria’s crucial role in Africa’s energy landscape and highlighted NNPC’s central position in driving energy sufficiency across the continent. Nigeria’s potential in oil, gas, and renewable energy was underscored, with a focus on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria from an extractive economy into a diversified, investment-driven energy hub.
Ojulari stressed that Africa’s energy future should be built on pragmatism, partnerships, and purpose. He stated that NNPC is not just participating in the energy transition but actively shaping it from an African perspective. His vision includes growing production, monetizing gas, deepening partnerships, and delivering value to both Nigerians and global partners.
Expanding Oil Production and Investment
One of the key achievements of NNPC is the increase in Nigeria’s oil output to 1.7 million barrels per day. The company aims to reach 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 independents, as well as efforts to remove legacy blockers and align on shared value.
Ojulari also reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to working with OPEC peers, African national oil companies (NOCs), and financial institutions to attract $30–$60 billion in fresh investment by 2030. New government incentives beyond the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are already attracting capital for deep-water exploration, dry gas development, and cost reduction.
Key Energy Initiatives
Several high-profile energy initiatives have been spotlighted by Ojulari. These include the upstream revival through accelerated new fields development, expansion of gas infrastructure, and the near-completion of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline. Additionally, the rollout of cleaner energy, including the Presidential CNG Initiative and the expansion of autogas corridors, was highlighted.
Ojulari echoed the opening remarks of Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and ADNOC CEO, who called for “pragmatic, not performative” energy policies. He emphasized the need for $4 trillion in annual global energy investment and urged global stakeholders to co-invest in Africa’s energy future.
A Call for Global Collaboration
“Our message to the world is clear: Nigeria is open for business, and NNPC is fit for the future, and we invite the world to co-invest in Africa’s energy transformation,” Ojulari concluded.
NNPC Limited’s presence at ADIPEC 2025 reflects its evolution into a commercially-driven, globally-engaged energy company. It is not only powering Nigeria but also helping shape the future of energy across the continent.
ADIPEC, one of the world’s largest energy exhibitions and conferences hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), features the theme “Energy. Intelligence. Impact.” This year’s edition marks the 41st in the series.