Nigeria Must Leverage Gas Resources to Power Africa’s Rise — NNPC GCEO
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has said Nigeria, as an emerging global energy powerhouse, bears the responsibility of harnessing its abundant gas resources to drive Africa’s development and contribute to global stability.
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According to a statement by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Andy Odeh, Ojulari made the remarks during his address at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ojulari described natural gas as one of Nigeria’s most critical pathways to prosperity, stressing that it sits at the heart of the country’s energy transition strategy.
He noted that Africa must prioritise equitable and people-centred energy expansion for the more than 600 million people across the continent who still lack access to electricity.
“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 industrialisation, and our foundation for export-led growth,” he said.
Highlighting what he termed Africa’s “energy trilemma,” Ojulari explained that despite vast energy endowments, the continent continues to struggle with accessibility, affordability and sustainability.
He disclosed that with about 37 billion barrels of crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, Nigeria and NNPC Limited are well positioned to lead efforts at reshaping Africa’s energy narrative.
“With over 600 million Africans still lacking electricity, the continent’s priority cannot be copy and paste. Ours must be a just, equitable, people-centred energy addition—one that lifts our people out of poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, transforms transportation, and unleashes the creativity of Africa’s youth,” he stated.
Ojulari further подчеркed that NNPC Limited is not only a commercial organisation but also a key enabler of peace and prosperity, committed to using energy as a catalyst for inclusive growth across Nigeria and the African continent.
Nigeria Must Leverage Gas Resources to Power Africa’s Rise — NNPC GCEO