The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has called on African countries to design and develop bankable energy projects to secure a sustainable energy future for the continent.
Ojulari made this call on Monday while speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian Council. The three-day event is currently taking place in Lagos.
A board member of the SPE Nigerian Council himself, Ojulari emphasised that Africa must go beyond competing for limited global capital and focus on making its energy sector attractive and investable.
“Governments and stakeholders must co-create an industry that draws in investment,” he said, adding that energy transition efforts should prioritise not only natural resources but also the people they serve.
The conference, themed “Building a Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy”, brings together key industry players to chart a course for Africa’s energy evolution.
Ojulari stressed the need for visionary leadership and inclusive dialogue to reshape Africa’s energy outlook.
“The future of energy is not linear or predetermined—it will be shaped by strong leadership and bold investments,” he said. “It must also be inclusive, ensuring strategic engagement across borders and aligning national priorities with global sustainability goals.”
He advocated for a pragmatic approach to the energy transition, urging that it be negotiated—not imposed—and identified natural gas as a key transitional fuel for Africa.
“Hydrocarbons and natural gas must co-exist,” Ojulari said. “The energy transition is not just about resources, but about people and especially our youths.”
He further called for increased investment in STEM education, green initiatives, and youth empowerment, as well as enhanced partnerships and capital mobilisation.
“Let us lead Africa’s energy transition with our people and the next generation in mind. Our aim should not only be to meet today’s energy demands but to shape the future energy landscape,” he concluded.
Earlier in her remarks, SPE Nigerian Council Chair Amina Danmadami—who is the first woman to hold the position—highlighted the need for a holistic strategy to ensure energy sustainability.
She noted that such a strategy must integrate technology, supply chain efficiency, skilled human capital, and enabling policies, and called for greater collaboration among stakeholders across the energy value chain.
