Abuja — Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has declared that Nigeria’s path to long-term prosperity depends on how effectively it harnesses its vast natural gas resources, describing gas as the nation’s bridge to a cleaner energy future and the backbone of export-led growth.
Ojulari made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing participants at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He described Nigeria as an emerging global energy powerhouse with the capacity not only to drive Africa’s industrial growth but also to contribute meaningfully to global energy stability.
Addressing what he termed Africa’s energy trilemma, Ojulari noted that despite the continent’s abundant energy resources, challenges of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability persist, with over 600 million Africans still without access to electricity.
“With 37 billion barrels of crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, Nigeria and NNPC Ltd are well positioned to lead the transformation of Africa’s energy landscape,” he said.
Ojulari stressed that gas remains central to Nigeria’s development strategy, noting that it plays a critical role in industrialization, economic diversification, and cleaner energy transition.
“Nigeria’s pathway to a prosperous future lies in our collective ability to leverage our resource abundance, especially gas. It is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialization, and the foundation of our export-led growth,” he stated.
He cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach to Africa’s energy transition, insisting that the continent must pursue a just, equitable, and people-centered energy strategy that tackles poverty, boosts industries, supports agriculture, modernizes transportation, and unlocks the potential of Africa’s youth.
On steps being taken to expand access to gas, Ojulari revealed that NNPC Ltd has rolled out a new Gas Masterplan and is aggressively advancing key infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) pipeline, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) expansion.
“These projects are more than pipelines; they are highways for economic opportunity,” he said.
The summit underscored Nigeria’s growing ambition to position gas as a catalyst for domestic growth, regional energy security, and global competitiveness.
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