The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has said Nigeria’s long-term prosperity depends on effectively harnessing its vast natural gas resources, describing gas as the country’s transition fuel to cleaner energy and a key driver of export-led economic growth.
Ojulari also described Nigeria as an emerging global energy powerhouse capable of powering Africa’s development and contributing to global energy stability.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Highlighting Africa’s energy trilemma, Ojulari noted that despite the continent’s enormous energy resources, challenges of access, affordability, and sustainability persist, with more than 600 million Africans still without electricity.
According to him, Nigeria, with about 37 billion barrels of crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, alongside NNPC Ltd, is well positioned to lead efforts to reverse the continent’s energy deficit.
“Nigeria’s path to prosperity lies in our ability to harness our resource abundance, particularly gas, which sits at the core of our strategy. Gas is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialization, and the foundation of our export-driven growth,” Ojulari said.
He stressed that Africa’s energy transition must be tailored to its realities, adding that the continent needs a just, inclusive, and people-centered approach that reduces poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, modernizes transportation, and unlocks the potential of its youthful population.
On measures to expand gas access and boost industrial growth, Ojulari disclosed that NNPC Ltd has introduced a new Gas Masterplan and is advancing major gas infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipelines, and the expansion of the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS).
“These projects go beyond pipelines; they are critical corridors for economic growth and opportunity,” he said.
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