Gas key to Nigeria’s prosperity, Africa’s energy future

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bashir Ojulari, has described Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources as the cornerstone of the country’s economic transformation and Africa’s energy future.

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Speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Ojulari said Nigeria, with over 37 billion barrels of oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, is not only Africa’s strategic energy reserve holder but also an emerging global energy powerhouse.

According to him, the country carries a responsibility to power Africa’s rise while contributing meaningfully to global peace and stability.

“Nigeria’s pathway to a prosperous future lies in our collective ability to leverage our resource abundance, especially as gas sits at the heart of our strategy. It is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialisation, and our foundation for export-led growth,” Mr Ojulari said.

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He noted that gas remains Nigeria’s most viable pathway to industrialisation, energy security and export-led growth, while also supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy transition.

NIES is the federal government’s official annual energy event and platform for energy policy dialogue, investment promotion and innovation.

This year’s summit—the ninth edition—is themed “Energy for Peace and Progress: Securing Our Shared Future” and is scheduled to run from February 2 to 5. NNPC Ltd is the national sponsor of the event.

In recent months, the government has ramped up investors engagement, courting both local and foreign capital to unlock the country’s oil and gas potential.

While environmental groups have raised concerns over climate change and the impacts of oil spills and gas flaring on host communities, the government has repeatedly maintained that responsible oil and gas development remains a pathway to economic prosperity for Nigeria and Africa.

Gas-led strategy

Mr Ojulari explained that NNPC’s gas-led strategy is designed to power homes, revive factories, strengthen fertiliser production, expand manufacturing and boost foreign exchange earnings.

He highlighted progress on key infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline, OB3, the expansion of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System and regional gas pipeline projects, describing them as “highways for economic opportunity.”

He added that strategic investments in gas utilisation, processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are strengthening domestic supply reliability and positioning Nigeria as a regional energy hub.

Mr Ojulari also declared energy a central pillar of global peace, security and prosperity, calling for a rethink of how energy policies are designed and implemented.

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He described Africa and Nigeria as being at a “turning point,” noting that with over 600 million Africans still lacking access to electricity, the continent’s energy transition cannot follow a “copy-and-paste” model.

“Our approach must be just, equitable and people-centred—one that lifts our people out of poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, transforms transportation and unleashes the creativity of Africa’s youth,” he said.

Mr Ojulari stressed that modern energy systems now determine whether societies can thrive, industries can grow and nations can remain stable.

He reiterated that Africa faces a unique energy trilemma—accessibility, affordability and sustainability—and warned against energy transition models that undermine development and poverty reduction.

Mr Ojulari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building an energy system that supports industrialisation, environmental responsibility and regional cooperation, positioning energy as a bridge—not a barrier—to shared prosperity.