NNPC Chief outlines vision for gas as engine of Nigeria’s growth, African leadership

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, has stated that Nigeria’s path to economic growth and continental leadership is strategically tied to gas development.

He presented this vision at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja.

Addressing Africa’s energy trilemma—balancing accessibility, affordability, and sustainability despite vast resources—Ojulari pointed out that over 600 million Africans still lack electricity.

He declared Nigeria’s readiness to lead in changing this narrative, leveraging the nation’s 37 billion barrels of crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves.

Ojulari emphasized that Africa cannot adopt “copy-and-paste” solutions from other regions.

Instead, he affirmed that energy systems must be just, equitable, and people-centered, designed to lift citizens from poverty, power industries, support agriculture, transform transportation, and unleash the creativity of the youth.

He described Nigeria’s gas infrastructure projects as more than technical investments, calling them catalysts for cultural and economic transformation.

“Beyond pipelines, these are instruments of peace, stability, and prosperity,” he said, highlighting parallel efforts to nurture a new generation of professionals rooted in accountability and excellence.

Positioning Nigeria as a competitive investment destination, the NNPC GCEO outlined a clear vision for sustainable energy growth, regional collaboration, and industrial expansion.

“Our vision is clear: an Africa rising through innovation, industrialization, and energy-driven development. Energy should be a bridge to prosperity, never a barrier,” Ojulari said.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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