NIES: over 600 million Africans living without access to electricity, says Ojulari

By Onu Okorie 

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has disclosed that over 600 million Africans are still living without access to electricity, as the continent grapples with issues of accessibility, affordability, and sustainability,  in what he described as Africa’s energy trilemma.

He stated this during an address at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria International Energy Summit NIES 2026 held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

He argued that an emerging global energy powerhouse, Nigeria has the responsibility to utilise its abundant gas resources to power Africa’s rise and contribute meaningfully to global stability.

According to him, “Nigeria’s pathway to a prosperous future lies in our collective ability to leverage our resource abundance, especially as gas sits at the heart of our strategy. It is our bridge to a cleaner future, our engine for industrialization, and our foundation for export-led growth”

Ojulari also said that with 37 billion barrels crude oil and 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, Nigeria and the NNPC Ltd are ready to lead the charge in changing the narrative. “With over 600 million Africans still lacking electricity, the continent’s priority cannot be a copy and paste. Ours must be a just, equitable, people-centered energy additions, one that lifts our people out of poverty, powers industries, supports agriculture, transforms transportation, and unleashes the creativity of Africa’s youth”, he stated.He said NNPC Ltd was not just a commercial entity but also a peace and prosperity enabler.On steps being taken to enhance access to gas as the primary fuel for driving industrialization and economic growth, the GCEO said NNPC Ltd has launched a new Gas Masterplan, while aggressively progressing strategic gas infrastructure projects such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipelines, and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) expansion.”These projects are more than pipelines, they are highways for economic opportunity”, he explained.