Nigeria to lead African energy ‘industrialisation’ through gas, says NNPC chief

Segun Ojumu

Nigeria has a “responsibility” to use its vast natural gas reserves to power Africa’s economic rise, the head of the state oil firm has said.Speaking at the opening of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, NNPC Ltd Group CEO Engr. Bashir Ojulari described gas as the “engine for industrialisation” on a continent where millions still lack basic electricity.

Bridging the energy trilemma

Addressing delegates at the Presidential Villa, Mr. Ojulari highlighted a stark “energy trilemma” facing the continent: the struggle to balance accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.”With over 600 million Africans still lacking electricity, the continent’s priority cannot be a ‘copy and paste’ [of Western models],” Mr. Ojulari said. “Ours must be a just, equitable, people-centred energy transition.” Nigeria currently holds: 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves and 37 billion barrels of crude oil.

Highways for Opportunity

The NNPC boss used the summit to promote a new “Gas Masterplan” aimed at domestic growth and export stability. He pointed to several multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects currently in development as the backbone of this strategy:

OB3 Pipeline: Connecting the east and west gas networks.

AKK Project: The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline designed to power northern industrial hubs.

ELPS Expansion: Boosting supply to the Lagos industrial corridor.”These projects are more than pipelines; they are highways for economic opportunity,” he told the summit.

The ‘Peace Enabler’

Mr Ojulari’s comments signal a continued shift in Nigeria’s policy, framing the state oil company not merely as a commercial entity but as a “peace and prosperity enabler” for the West African region.By leveraging gas as a “bridge fuel,” Nigeria aims to lift its population out of poverty while meeting global demands for cleaner energy alternatives.