Africa’s Energy Transition Must Be Negotiated, Not Imposed By Global Powers—Ojulari

…Advocates Use Of Gas, Hydrocarbon Revenues To Fund Energy Future

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has insisted that Africa’s energy transition must be negotiated, contextualised, and rooted in justice — not dictated by global powers.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) in Lagos, Ojulari stressed the need for a balanced approach that takes into account the continent’s development needs and energy realities.

“The energy transition must not be imposed; it must be negotiated, it must be contextualised, and it must be judged,” he told industry stakeholders.

Delivering his keynote remarks under the conference theme “Building A Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Policy,” the NNPC boss urged African leaders to assert their place in the global energy ecosystem through improved governance, contract sanctity, and transparency.

Ojulari identified natural gas as Africa’s viable transition fuel and called for urgent investment in clean cooking technologies to tackle energy poverty.

He also advocated channeling hydrocarbon revenues into renewable energy, infrastructure development, and education as part of a long-term strategy for energy equity.

Beyond technology and finance, Ojulari highlighted the critical role of human capital in shaping Africa’s energy future.

He urged greater focus on youth empowerment through STEM education and green skills development.

“Let us empower our youth to see the energy sector not just as a place of infrastructure but as a space of innovation, inclusion, and global relevance,” he said.

The NNPC chief concluded by calling for collaborative industry stewardship to unlock investment, foster innovation, and build a sustainable, inclusive energy future for Africa.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Technical Services, NNPC EnServ, Olalekan Abiola, urged stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to prioritise policy stability, capacity building, and collaborative security efforts in order to achieve long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

He spoke on the theme, “Reforms and sustainability of the Nigerian oil and gas industry”

He emphasised the need for a predictable fiscal and regulatory environment to drive investment and operational efficiency.

“We need to have a very stable fiscal environment, and then more importantly, signal to the industry that we are ready,” Abiola said.

He stressed that clear policy implementation and improved investor confidence were critical for sustaining reforms in the sector.

Abiola also highlighted the need for structured competence development within the industry, warning that without a robust skills framework, the sector’s growth potential could be undermined.

On security, he called for joint industry-government initiatives to combat crude theft and ensure reliable delivery to both domestic and export markets. He reaffirmed NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to sustainable growth through strategic reforms and collaboration.

In her address at the event, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development, aligning with the workshop’s focus on reforms and sustainability in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

She said since its inception in February 2023, NNPC Foundation has implemented impactful projects across Nigeria, focusing on education, health, environment, energy access, and empowerment.

Arukwe, who name-checked the Foundation’s leadership in social responsibility, added that “the company’s commitment to sustainability and ensuring the Nigerian oil and gas sector translates into real and measurable impact that has uplifted host communities all around Nigeria.”

The session fostered dialogue on industry progress, reinforcing NNPC Ltd.’s role in promoting sustainable practices and equitable growth through targeted community initiatives.

ENDS

Africa’s Energy Transition Must Be Negotiated, Not Imposed By Global Powers—Ojulari is first published on The Whistler Newspaper