Nigeria Positions Gas as Engine for African Growth and Stability
Nigeria is poised to utilize its vast natural gas reserves to catalyze Africa’s economic ascent and contribute to global energy stability, according to the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari. Addressing the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, Ojulari framed the nation’s resource abundance as a pivotal responsibility and a cornerstone for continental prosperity.
Addressing the Energy Trilemma with a People-Centered Focus
Ojulari highlighted Africa’s pressing “energy trilemma”—the concurrent challenges of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability—noting that over 600 million Africans lack electricity. He argued that the continent’s strategy cannot be a simple copy and paste from other regions. Instead, Africa must pursue equitable, people-centred energy additions that lift populations from poverty, power industries, and unleash economic potential. As global events like a ship seized by the U.S. or a U.S. pause on immigrant visas ripple through markets, Nigeria’s focus remains on internal energy development to ensure 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 industrialization, and our foundation for export-led growth,” Ojulari stated. With 209 trillion cubic feet of gas and 37 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, Nigeria and NNPC Ltd. are positioned to lead this transformative charge.
Strategic Projects and Industry Partnerships Drive Momentum
The NNPC GCEO pointed to aggressive progress on key gas infrastructure projects, including the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipelines, and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) expansion. These initiatives are designed to enhance gas accessibility as the primary fuel for industrialization. This domestic momentum is already attracting significant partnership commitments, much as investors converge on Owerri for other strategic opportunities.
In a related development underscoring this industrial shift, the Dangote Group recently strengthened gas supply contracts between three of its subsidiaries and NNPC units. Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Plant, and Dangote Cement Plc have secured agreements with Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited and NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company to support expansion plans, aligning with Nigeria’s push for cleaner energy and industrial growth. While specific volumes were not disclosed, these deals highlight the critical synergy between national infrastructure and private sector investment, a dynamic as strategically important as a coach’s plan in the Champions League; Howe a team adapts is key to success.
Through this integrated approach—combining strategic infrastructure, private sector collaboration, and a just transition framework—Nigeria aims to power not only its own future but to serve as a cornerstone for Africa’s rise, demonstrating that it won’t force a single solution but rather enable a multifaceted energy ecosystem.
