From Rareview Energy Desk
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has issued a clarion call for African nations to align their policies and capital, arguing that the continent’s energy security depends on collective action rather than isolated national efforts.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 International Energy Week (IEW) in London, Ojulari engaged in a high-level fireside chat with Mr. Andy Brown, Deputy Chair of Ørsted and President of the Energy Institute. The session served as a platform for Ojulari to pivot Nigeria’s energy strategy toward regional integration.
Ojulari identified shared infrastructure and integrated gas markets as the “backbone” of the continent’s industrial future. He specifically highlighted the Nigeria–Morocco Gas Pipeline and the expansion of the West African Gas Pipeline as critical projects that must see “accelerated delivery” to unlock economic resilience.
“Shared assets unlock scale and efficiency,” Ojulari told the international delegation. “We must move toward aligned pricing frameworks and joint technical regulations to reduce investment friction.”
The GCEO’s remarks emphasized that Africa can attract global capital more effectively through structured joint investment platforms among African National Oil Companies (NOCs). He noted that drawing lessons from reforms like Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) could help safeguard these cross-border assets and ensure equitable access for all participating nations.
Addressing the global push for decarbonization, Ojulari maintained a pragmatic stance, insisting on an “Africa-centric” strategy that uses gas as a transition fuel.
“Our pathway is clear: grow production responsibly and scale gas as the backbone of Africa’s industrialization,” Ojulari affirmed. “We must align with global climate goals while ensuring that Africans are not left behind in the energy transition.”