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By Adeola Areoye
Under Bayo Ojulari’s leadership, NNPC Limited has begun positioning itself not just as Nigeria’s national oil company, but as a regional energy player with influence across Africa. Eight months into his tenure as Group Chief Executive Officer, Ojulari has articulated a vision where NNPC contributes to continental energy security, supports cross-border projects, and promotes Africa-led solutions to energy challenges.
This regional focus aligns with Nigeria’s broader foreign policy objectives and responds to the evolving energy landscape, where traditional European investments are declining, and African nations are being called upon to take ownership of their energy destiny.
The Africa-Led Energy Narrative
In recent statements at the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO) National Oil Companies CEOs Forum, Ojulari emphasised the importance of African countries designing their own energy policies. He argued that, with abundant resources and improved governance, the continent is capable of securing its energy future without overreliance on external players.
This narrative underpins NNPC’s regional strategy: a move from passive participation to active leadership. By championing infrastructure development, policy alignment, and intergovernmental collaboration, Ojulari seeks to create a framework where African nations collectively benefit from energy resources and technological advances.
Cross-Border gas infrastructure
A cornerstone of this strategy is NNPC’s leadership in cross-border gas projects. The Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project is the flagship initiative, envisioned to deliver natural gas from Nigeria to 13 countries in West and North Africa, and potentially to Europe. Under Ojulari, the project has gained renewed momentum, with milestones achieved in planning, alignment, and stakeholder engagement.
Ojulari has highlighted the importance of extending the pipeline first to Côte d’Ivoire and eventually to Morocco, creating a transcontinental energy corridor that enhances trade, integration, and energy security.
Integration with domestic projects
The regional vision is integrated with domestic initiatives such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project. By linking internal energy infrastructure to regional networks, Ojulari ensures that Nigeria’s gas resources serve both national and continental needs.
This approach maximises investment efficiency, leverages Nigeria’s resource base, and positions NNPC as a facilitator of regional industrialisation and energy diversification.
Leveraging the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)
Ojulari has pointed to the Petroleum Industry Act as an enabler of regional engagement. The Act’s provisions for commercial clarity, transparency, and investment protection provide a foundation for cross-border partnerships, project financing, and operational governance.
By leveraging PIA-compliant frameworks, NNPC is able to enter partnerships with confidence, attracting both domestic and foreign investment while ensuring adherence to Nigerian regulatory standards.
Collaboration as a strategic tool
Ojulari’s leadership philosophy emphasises collaboration over competition. In the regional context, this translates to working with other national oil companies, multilateral institutions, and private sector partners to develop infrastructure, harmonise regulations, and ensure project sustainability.
By fostering cooperation, NNPC reduces duplication, optimises resources, and creates synergies that benefit both Nigeria and its neighbours.
Energy transition and sustainability
The regional agenda also incorporates the global energy transition. Ojulari has promoted the adoption of cleaner energy sources, such as gas-based power generation and compressed natural gas (CNG), within regional projects. This dual focus on energy security and sustainability positions NNPC as a forward-looking player capable of addressing both current and future energy needs.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer
Regional engagement under Ojulari is not limited to infrastructure. NNPC is actively supporting capacity building in host countries, sharing technical expertise, and strengthening institutional frameworks. By doing so, the company fosters sustainable energy development across Africa and strengthens Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic influence.
Economic and strategic implications
The regional footprint has tangible benefits. By creating new markets for gas, NNPC diversifies revenue sources beyond domestic demand. It also enhances Nigeria’s geopolitical influence, positioning the country as a central hub for energy trade in West and North Africa.
Ojulari’s approach demonstrates that energy security and commercial expansion can coexist, with regional projects serving both economic and strategic national interests.
Challenges and risk management
Of course, cross-border projects are complex, involving regulatory differences, security risks, and political considerations. Ojulari has emphasised risk management through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and phased implementation. By balancing ambition with pragmatism, NNPC is able to advance regional projects while mitigating potential disruptions.
A vision for Africa’s energy future
Ultimately, Ojulari’s regional strategy is about more than pipelines and profits—it is about positioning Africa to control its energy destiny. By investing in infrastructure, harmonising policies, and fostering collaboration, NNPC under Ojulari is helping the continent move toward greater energy independence and industrialisation.
Eight months into his tenure, Bayo Ojulari has laid the foundations for a more influential, integrated, and forward-looking Nigerian National Petroleum Company—one that views national success as inseparable from regional progress.
