Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has dismissed swirling rumours of his alleged forced resignation by making a virtual appearance at the ongoing Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. In his address to energy stakeholders, Ojulari emphasised the need for Nigeria to present a compelling, credible, and bankable case to attract global energy investments.
Ojulari warned that the competition for global capital is fierce and that Nigeria must position its energy story to be sustainable and globally relevant. He rejected claims that oil and gas are “sunset industries,” stressing instead that they remain vital to a sustainable and inclusive energy future when paired with emerging technologies like carbon capture, hydrogen, artificial intelligence, smart grids, and compressed natural gas.
He called for urgent reforms to de-risk Nigeria’s energy sector by strengthening governance, regulatory frameworks, and contract enforcement while ensuring transparent dispute resolution. According to Ojulari, Africa’s energy transition must be negotiated, not imposed, with a focus on energy justice and inclusion to ensure millions still lacking reliable electricity gain access to modern and clean fuel alternatives.