The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, has called for stronger global and continental partnerships to unlock Africa’s vast energy resources and drive sustainable economic growth.

Ojulari made the call on Tuesday while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2026 Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, “Forging Africa’s Strategic Energy Growth Through Global Collaboration,” the NNPC boss said Africa’s greatest challenge was not a lack of hydrocarbon resources or talent, but the fragmentation of the institutions needed to transform resources into prosperity.

He said no nation, company or institution could maximise the value of its energy resources in isolation.

“Collaboration has become imperative in an increasingly interconnected global energy landscape,” he said.

Reflecting on NNPC Ltd.’s transformation journey, Ojulari recalled that at the 2025 edition of the conference, he had emphasised rebuilding trust, restoring accountability and creating value.

According to him, the company’s commitment to performance, transparency and accountability remains unwavering.

He, however, said events over the past year had reinforced the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable energy development.

“The defining challenge facing Africa today is not a shortage of hydrocarbons; it is not a shortage of talent, and it is not a shortage of opportunity.

“It is the persistent fragmentation of the ecosystem required to convert resources into prosperity,” Ojulari said.

He said successful energy economies depended on effective collaboration among governments, national oil companies, investors, operators, regulators, financial institutions, technology providers, research institutions and host communities.

The NNPC Ltd GCEO noted that weaknesses in any part of the value chain could delay investments and stall projects, leaving resource-rich nations unable to realise their full economic potential.

Ojulari said recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to global shipping routes had further highlighted the importance of energy security and resilient partnerships.

According to him, the global energy system is undergoing significant changes, with evolving supply chains, shifting trade flows, rapid technological advancement and increasingly selective capital.

“The winners of the next energy era will not necessarily be those with the largest reserves.

“They will be those who can build the most effective partnerships and the most resilient ecosystems around those reserves,” he said.

Ojulari said Africa possessed about 17 per cent of global natural gas reserves, substantial oil resources, abundant renewable energy potential and a youthful population capable of driving future growth.

He, however, lamented that the continent continued to attract only a small share of global energy investment.

He called for a shift from transactional relationships to strategic partnerships, integrated value chains and industrialisation driven by Africa’s energy resources.

Speaking on Nigeria’s priorities, Ojulari advocated deeper collaboration among NNPC Ltd., international oil companies, indigenous operators, financial institutions, regulators, technology firms, universities and local service providers.

He also stressed the need for stable and transparent regulatory frameworks, stronger research-industry linkages and accelerated development of indigenous technical capacity.

According to him, NNPC Ltd.’s transformation agenda is anchored on building partnerships across the energy value chain.

He said the company’s production growth, gas monetisation, refining ambitions and energy transition plans all depended on collaboration with technical partners, financiers, researchers, infrastructure developers and technology providers.

“We increasingly view NNPC Limited not merely as an energy producer but as an ecosystem builder, connecting capital, technology, policy, talent and markets to create lasting value for Nigeria and Africa.”

Ojulari said Africa’s future would depend not only on the resources beneath its soil but on the quality of the partnerships forged across the continent and beyond.

He envisioned an Africa where energy resources drive industrialisation, gas powers homes and industries, innovation fuels economic growth and the continent emerges as a global hub for energy investment, technology and manufacturing.

“The opportunity before us is extraordinary. The responsibility is ours and the time to act is now.

“Together, through purposeful collaboration, bold leadership and shared commitment, we can reshape not only the future of Nigeria’s energy industry but the future of African prosperity itself,” he added.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has signaled intention to increase crude oil production in August.

Seven OPEC+ members have already agreed to increase collective oil production by 188,000 bpd in August, continuing the gradual rollback of voluntary production cuts while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining market stability.

The decision was reached during a virtual meeting on Saturday by Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, which have been implementing additional voluntary production adjustments since 2023.

The increase represents the next phase in unwinding the voluntary cuts announced in April 2023.

The OPEC+ said future production increases will remain subject to market conditions and could be accelerated, paused or reversed if necessary.

The group emphasized that it will continue to closely monitor global oil market fundamentals while maintaining a cautious approach to restoring production.

The seven countries also reiterated their commitment to full compliance with the OPEC+ Declaration of Cooperation and pledged to fully compensate for any production above agreed targets since January 2024.

The additional production will also allow participating countries to accelerate compensation for previous overproduction.

The producers said they will continue holding monthly meetings to review market conditions, production conformity and compensation efforts. Their next meeting is scheduled for August.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has commended the party’s candidate for the Kokona/Karu/Keffi Federal Constituency, Hon.

Wadada made the commendation during the unveiling of Ogazi’s campaign office and empowerment programme organised by Ogazi in Keffi, where he also donated N2 million to support the initiative.

The APC governorship candidate said governance goes beyond protecting the lives and property of citizens, stressing that true leadership must also create opportunities that improve the standard of living of the people.

“You cannot claim to be protecting lives without caring for those lives. The best way to care for people is to empower them so they can live meaningful lives. Life is meant to be lived, not merely to exist. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi understands the rudiments of making those alive truly live, and for that, we commend, congratulate and appreciate him,” Wadada said.

He noted that empowerment programmes remain among the most effective ways of reducing poverty and improving livelihoods, adding that Ogazi’s initiative reflects the qualities of a responsive and compassionate leader.

The Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Hon. Dr. Aliyu Bello, described the empowerment programme as unprecedented, applauding Ogazi for demonstrating commitment to the welfare of the people even before securing election into the National Assembly.

“This is leadership in action. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi has shown commitment to the welfare of our people even before getting to the National Assembly. This aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC’s vision of lifting Nigerians out of poverty,” Bello stated.

The party chairman reiterated the APC’s commitment to fairness, equity and justice, explaining that the party’s zoning arrangement was designed to ensure that every senatorial zone in the state has the opportunity to produce the governor.

“APC is a party rooted in fairness and equity. We decided to adhere to the principle of zoning because the Keffi Zone has spent about 20 years without producing the governor. This arrangement is for the benefit of future generations so that even children from less privileged backgrounds can aspire to become governors someday,” he said.

Bello added that after the Keffi Zone completes its expected eight-year tenure, the governorship position would rotate to the Lafia Zone.

“We must understand that zoning is not for our personal benefit. Most of us are already above 60 years of age. It is about securing the future for the younger generation and sustaining equity across the state,” he added.

In his remarks, Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi urged beneficiaries of the empowerment programme to make productive use of the financial support provided to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Ogazi also appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for the ongoing infrastructural development across Nasarawa State, especially the construction of flyovers in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi and Mararaba in Karu Local Government Area.

He further called on the people of Nasarawa State to support Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada in the 2027 governorship election, describing him as a man of integrity with the capacity to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

“If we elect Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada as governor in 2027, he will build on the good legacy of Governor Abdullahi Sule and take Nasarawa State to greater heights,” Ogazi said.