In his first public appearance since speculation about his resignation, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Bayo Ojulari, made a strong case for a homegrown and inclusive approach to Nigeria’s energy transition.
Speaking at a high-level industry forum in Abuja on Tuesday, Ojulari dismissed the notion that oil and gas are obsolete, calling instead for a “strategic and equitable” shift that recognizes Africa’s realities while preparing for a cleaner future.
He challenged stakeholders to see hydrocarbons not as relics of the past, but as partners in a broader energy mix that includes renewables, innovation, and human development.
“The future of energy won’t be handed to us—it must be built, intentionally and inclusively,” Ojulari said. “We can’t ignore our economic realities or the millions still dependent on biomass.
Transition must be contextual, not copied.”Ojulari emphasized three pillars for Nigeria’s energy roadmap: security, sustainability, and economic development.
He urged collaboration across governments, civil society, and the private sector, particularly in addressing climate change, technology gaps, and investor confidence.
With projects like the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) rollout already showing results, he argued for bolder steps in clean energy while leveraging Nigeria’s vast gas reserves.
He also underscored the role of Nigeria’s youth as central to the country’s energy future, calling for investment in STEM education, energy entrepreneurship, and green skills.
“This is not just about fuels,” he said, “It’s about the people who will lead the change.”Ojulari closed with a call for Africa to compete for global capital by de-risking investment through transparency and strong regulation.
His message was clear: Nigeria’s energy future must be purposeful, people-focused, and built on its own terms.
