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•Commits to energy transition, local content
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has disclosed that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project is now 72 percent complete.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2025 edition of the Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) held in Abuja. The GCEO, who was represented by the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mr. Udobong Ntia, restated the company’s commitment to leveraging technology and local content development to drive Nigeria’s energy transition.
“In alignment with Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which seeks to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, NNPC Limited has initiated several gas-led transition programs, including the expansion of our autogas program targeting over one million vehicles through 2026, the completion of critical backbone infrastructure such as the AKK pipeline, which is about 72 percent complete as we speak, first quarter 2025, and also the planned integration of green hydrogen feasibility studies into long-term strategy,” he stated.
Ojulari noted that energy security for Nigeria’s over 200 million citizens remains non-negotiable, adding that NNPC is contributing to the nation’s power mix through projects such as the 1 gigawatt BiIPP-JV phases one and two, 650 megawatts from the FarmJV, and a 50-megawatt emergency power plant in Maiduguri.
“Let me emphasize energy security for over 200 million Nigerians. In full adoption of these impressive imperatives, NNPC Limited as an energy company plays a key role in the power sector,” he stated.
On the role of technology, Ojulari said digitization, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics are no longer optional tools but are now fundamental to reshaping the energy value chain.
“When I was on the other side of the aisle working with ExxonMobil decades ago and then crossed over to NNPC, I observed firsthand how the focus on technology is blurring the lines between international and national oil companies. Partnerships across the board, vendors, consultants, operators, are working together to elevate Nigeria’s standing as a dominant energy player,” he added. According to him, NNPC’s upstream subsidiary, NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), is already deploying real-time reservoir monitoring, AI-driven subsurface imaging, and predictive maintenance to improve operational efficiency and resilience. Speaking further, the NNPC boss commended the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, describing it as a “historic milestone” that repositioned NNPC Limited as a commercial entity capable of competing globally.
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He noted that local content development is a strategic priority for the company.
He also revealed that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGIC) Act has catalyzed over $10 billion in in-country value addition since 2020, and a significant portion of NNPC’s project components are now being sourced locally.
“Energy transition is not a story, it is a global necessity. But its pathways must be shaped by local realities. Africa cannot afford a transition that leaves its people in the dark,” Ojulari said.
Earlier, Engr. Amina Danmadami, Chairman of the Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, stressed the relevance of OLEF since its inception in 1991.
According to her, “This year’s theme, ‘Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence,’ reflects our reality. While the world pivots to renewables, oil and gas remain central to Nigeria’s economic stability and energy security. Our task is to optimize, not replace, the sector.”
Danmadami emphasized the role of policy and technology in achieving sustainability, calling for robust implementation of the PIA and improved investment in supply chain resilience.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Alhaji Ahmad Aminu, reaffirmed PTDF’s commitment to supporting capacity building and innovation in the energy sector.
Aminu, who was represented by Mrs. Ifeoma Nwokike, said: “This year’s theme aligns with PTDF’s mission. As an agency mandated to build capacity for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, we understand how critical policy, technology, and resilient supply chains are to energy security.”
