To combat a growing shortage of technical talent, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is launching a major initiative to rebuild its engineering workforce by partnering with international oil firms.

Newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has raised concerns over the company’s dwindling pool of engineers, which has left NNPCL overly dependent on outsourcing project execution. Upon assuming office in April, Ojulari was reportedly taken aback by how much technical expertise the company had lost over time.

In response, he plans to send NNPCL staff to work with International Oil Companies (IOCs) to gain hands-on training and restore internal capacity. So far, about 15 engineers from various IOCs have already been brought in to support this rebuilding effort.

Ojulari emphasized that technical strength is what sets IOCs apart and that NNPCL must return to a similar foundation of engineering and commercial excellence.

Beyond workforce development, the NNPCL boss is also introducing a new strategy for how the company handles oil financing. He criticized the long-standing practice of trading crude barrels for funding, calling it unsustainable. Instead, he is encouraging investors and financial institutions to focus on funding long-term growth and production expansion, rather than seeking short-term oil pledges.

Ojulari also highlighted NNPCL’s commitment to global energy transition goals, particularly around reducing emissions. He revealed that the company is exploring clean technologies that could replace harmful emissions with safer alternatives even suggesting innovations like fuel systems that produce water instead of carbon monoxide.

Together, these shifts signal a broader transformation in how NNPCL plans to operate one that focuses on rebuilding internal strength, attracting meaningful investment, and embracing cleaner energy solutions.

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