Nigeria has the reserves to be a global oil powerhouse, but production numbers still fall short, according to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari.

At the 4th Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja, Ojulari said the country must urgently change this reality. “Every barrel of oil and every molecule of gas matters. Incremental growth will come from coordinated, deliberate actions across the value chain,” he explained.

He outlined steps NNPCL is taking to improve performance, including tighter security in the Niger Delta, reducing leakages, and unlocking stranded assets. Ojulari also emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles — cutting emissions, prioritizing gas as a transition fuel, and building trust through transparency.

But labour leaders had their own message. PENGASSAN President and Trade Union Congress leader Festus Osifo stressed that workers’ safety cannot be sacrificed for output. He condemned ongoing unsafe practices at some oil sites and called for an end to gas flaring and environmental pollution.

“The real measure of progress is ensuring workers return home alive and well. No life should be traded for resilience,” Osifo said.

The summit, themed “Building a Resilient Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: Advancing HSE, ESG, Investment, and Incremental Production,” gathered top officials, industry players, and union leaders to chart a sustainable path for the sector.

Ojulari closed by urging stronger collaboration between government, industry, and labour. “Resilience is a responsibility, not an option. With stable policies and stakeholder alignment, we can unlock Nigeria’s true oil and gas potential,” he noted.