The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bashir Ojulari, has called for stronger global and regional partnerships to help Africa unlock its energy resources and drive sustainable economic growth.
Ojulari made the call on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Nigerian Oil and Gas Energy Week in Abuja.
The theme of the event was “Forging Africa’s Strategic Energy Growth Through Global Collaboration.”
The NNPC boss said Africa’s major challenge is not the absence of hydrocarbon resources, talent or opportunities.
According to him, the real obstacle is the fragmented nature of the institutions, partnerships and systems needed to turn those resources into broad economic prosperity.
Ojulari said no country, company or institution can fully maximise the value of its energy resources alone.
He noted that collaboration has become essential in a global energy market shaped by changing supply chains, shifting trade patterns, technology and selective investment flows.
Reflecting on NNPC Limited’s transformation journey, Ojulari said the company remained committed to performance, transparency and accountability.
He recalled that at the 2025 edition of the conference, he had spoken about rebuilding trust, restoring accountability and creating value.
He said developments over the past year had further shown that Africa needs stronger partnerships to achieve sustainable energy development.
Ojulari said successful energy economies are built through cooperation among governments, national oil companies, investors, operators, regulators, financial institutions, technology firms, research bodies and host communities.
He warned that weakness in any part of the value chain can delay investments, slow projects and prevent resource-rich countries from gaining full economic benefits.
The NNPC GCEO also said recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to global shipping routes had highlighted the importance of energy security.
According to him, the next phase of the global energy industry will not be led only by countries with the largest reserves.
He said the winners will be countries and companies that build strong partnerships, resilient institutions and efficient ecosystems around their resources.
Ojulari said Africa holds about 17 per cent of global natural gas reserves, substantial oil resources, huge renewable energy potential and a youthful population.
He, however, said the continent still attracts only a small share of global energy investment.
The NNPC chief called for a shift from short-term transactional relationships to long-term strategic partnerships that can support integrated value chains and energy-led industrialisation.
On Nigeria’s priorities, Ojulari called for deeper collaboration among NNPC Limited, international oil companies, indigenous operators, regulators, financiers, technology companies, universities and local service providers.
He said stable regulations, transparent policies, stronger research links and indigenous technical capacity would be critical to building a more competitive energy sector.
According to him, NNPC Limited’s transformation agenda depends on partnerships across the energy value chain.
He said the company’s production growth, gas monetisation plans, refining ambitions and energy transition strategy all require cooperation with technical partners, investors, researchers, infrastructure developers and technology providers.
Ojulari said NNPC Limited now sees itself not only as an energy producer but also as an ecosystem builder.
He said the company’s role is to connect capital, technology, policy, talent and markets in ways that create lasting value for Nigeria and Africa.
The NNPC boss said Africa’s future will depend not only on the resources beneath its soil but also on the quality of partnerships built across the continent and beyond.
He said the continent must work toward a future where energy resources power industries, gas supports homes and factories, and innovation drives economic growth.
Ojulari added that Africa can become a global hub for energy investment, technology and manufacturing if leaders act boldly and collaboratively.
He said the opportunity before the continent is enormous, but it requires purposeful collaboration, strong leadership and shared commitment.
According to him, the right partnerships can reshape not only Nigeria’s energy future but also Africa’s path to prosperity.
