Nigeria has reaffirmed its resolve to deploy its vast natural gas resources as a strategic lever to power Africa’s development, strengthen regional energy security, and contribute to global stability.
This commitment was articulated by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, during his address at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, held on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ojulari described Nigeria as an emerging global energy powerhouse with a responsibility that extends beyond its borders. According to him, the nation’s pathway to a prosperous and sustainable future rests on its ability to harness its abundant resources—particularly natural gas—as a driver of inclusive growth.
“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 industrialization, and our foundation for export-led growth,” he stated.
He drew attention to what he termed Africa’s “energy trilemma,” noting that despite the continent’s vast endowment of energy resources, it continues to face the interlinked challenges of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability. Ojulari revealed that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, underscoring the urgency for context-specific energy solutions.
With Nigeria holding an estimated 37 billion barrels of crude oil and about 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, the GCEO declared that NNPC Ltd is prepared to lead efforts aimed at rewriting Africa’s energy narrative.
“With over 600 million Africans still lacking electricity, the continent’s priority cannot be a copy-and-paste approach. Ours must be a just, equitable, and people-centred energy transition—one that lifts our people out of poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, transforms transportation, and unleashes the creativity of Africa’s youth,” Ojulari emphasized.
He further described NNPC Ltd as more than a commercial enterprise, positioning the national oil company as a key enabler of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development across the region.
Highlighting concrete steps already being taken, Ojulari disclosed that NNPC Ltd has rolled out a new Gas Masterplan and is aggressively advancing critical gas infrastructure projects. These include the Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben (OB3) pipeline, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, and the expansion of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS).
“These projects are more than pipelines; they are highways for economic opportunity,” he said, noting that expanded gas infrastructure would enhance industrialization, stimulate economic growth, and improve energy access across Nigeria and beyond.
The NIES 2026 summit continues to serve as a strategic platform for shaping dialogue around Africa’s energy future, with Nigeria positioning gas as the backbone of a pragmatic, inclusive, and development-driven energy transition.
