The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Africa’s energy security and accelerating the continent’s transition to sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking at the 7th African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) CEOs Forum in Abuja, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, urged African nations to take ownership of their resources and policies in order to safeguard their energy future.
Ojulari explained that with European investments in fossil fuel refineries projected to decline sharply by 2030, Africa must move quickly to secure its energy independence. He noted that Nigeria is already implementing its Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060 and focuses on renewables, clean fuels, and efficiency across key sectors such as power, transport, and oil and gas.
He highlighted strategic projects such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline as vital to regional integration and cross-border energy trade. According to him, Nigeria has also achieved 100% pipeline availability for the first time in two decades, thanks to improved collaboration with host communities and security agencies.
Ojulari further stressed that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is creating a stronger investment climate, positioning NNPCL to work with global energy leaders like Petrobras, Petronas, and Saudi Aramco, while also collaborating with African peers to unlock the continent’s full energy potential.
In a related development, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to peace and security in Africa. Hosting a visiting delegation from Namibia’s Command and Staff College in Abuja, he underscored the importance of African unity in resisting external influences and building stronger continental cooperation.
The Namibian delegation, led by Brigadier Benhard Erastus, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional stability and expressed interest in deepening defence and educational ties.
Together, the pledges by NNPCL and the Defence Ministry underscore Nigeria’s dual focus on energy security and continental stability, reinforcing its role as a key driver of Africa’s future development.
