Amid mounting reports of forced resignation, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has called on Nigeria and other African countries to chart their course in the global energy transition by embracing technology, building cross-border alliances, and investing in human capital development.
Ojulari made this call while delivering his keynote address virtually at the opening of the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE), themed “Building A Sustainable Energy Future: Leveraging Technology, Supply Chain, Human Resources and Policy, held in Lagos, on Monday, August 4, 2025.
He said, “We must recognize the future of energy is neither linear nor pre-determined; it is shaped by the decisions we make, and how we intentionally engage, strategically invest, and boldly embrace innovations.”
According to him, the oil and gas industry must be repositioned as the cornerstone of a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future. He said, “Energy must be repositioned as an inclusive energy future.”
The NNPC GCEO warned against adopting externally imposed transition models, stating, “Energy transition must not be imposed; it must be contextualised, just, and negotiated.
“Many of our people are yet to attain basic energy access.
“Our people need energy, and our approach must be balanced and anchored on energy justice,” he said.
Ojulari explained that Africa faces complex, interrelated challenges, including climate change, capital flight, technology gaps, and supply disruptions, which, according to him, cannot be effectively tackled in isolation.
He stressed the need for collective solutions and dialogue, adding that “We need to deepen alliances across regional lines.
“We must foster robust, transparent dialogue among all stakeholders. Through partnership, we can achieve.”
He urged inclusive engagement involving all stakeholders, including government, financiers, civil society, and the youth.
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He said, “We must foster robust and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders – government, industry players, financiers, multilateral institutions, technology leaders, civil society, and our youths.”
It would be recalled that there have been speculations regarding Ojulari’s fate as the GCEO of NNPCL in the last couple of days.
Reports emerged over the weekend that Ojulari had been forced to resign his position due to several misdeeds levelled against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was also reported to have been behind his abduction and forced resignation.
Ojulari’s tenure as the GCEO of NNPC Ltd has been mired by controversies since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu following the sacking of Mele Kyari.
Since the reports emerged, efforts and attempts to get the true picture of the situation have been met with stoic silence from all quarters.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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