NIES 2026: NNPC Ltd engaging partners with proven capacity to revamp refineries -Ojulari

By Onu Okorie 

The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has 

stated that the Company is currently in talks with partners with proven track 

record of refining and petrochemical operations, in order to build 

sustainable, self-financing, and profitable solutions for its refineries. 

Ojulari disclosed this while fielding questions during a fireside chat themed 

“Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future at NIES 2026”, at the ongoing Nigeria 

International Energy Summit NIES 2026 in Abuja, yesterday.

The GCEO observed that historically, the focus on refineries has largely been

on financing and EPC delivery, noting that the approach has now moved 

towards getting the operating model right for sustainability.

“Getting refineries up and running requires three critical elements: 

financing, a competent EPC contractor, and world-class operational 

capacity. That is exactly our focus at the moment,” he noted.

The GCEO added that NNPC Ltd is now better positioned for commercially 

and sustained profitability, driven by ongoing transformation agenda aimed 

at securing Nigeria’s energy future.

On the recent gains made in the reduction of crude oil theft and improved pipeline availability, the NNPC Ltd GCEO attributed the success to strengthened collaboration with upstream operators, noting that renewed engagement and trust have significantly proven to be a major boost for investor confidence, commercial outcomes, and productivity.

“When the current leadership of NNPC Ltd was appointed, we initiated a 

fundamentally different engagement model with our partners which 

focused on improving systems and processes for win-win outcomes in 

production acceleration and contracting,” Ojulari said.

“There was also the decisive intervention by the Federal Government to 

mitigate security challenges in the Niger Delta through a structured 

surveillance framework, including the deployment of AI-enabled solutions 

and security personnel. This has  helped stabilise operations, ensure 

production consistency, and deepen collaboration with host communities

  through targeted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that 

address fundamental social issues,” the GCEO noted.

On the recently-launched NNPC Ltd Gas Master Plan 2026, Ojulari explained 

that the Company is firmly focused on delivering in-country value through 

gas utilisation initiatives, describing the plan as a customer-driven strategy 

designed to stimulate market growth and shared prosperity.

According to him, the Plan is closely aligned with the Federal Government’s 

Decade of Gas Initiative, which positions gas as a pillar of economic growth, 

industrialisation, and energy transition.

On leadership and governance, Ojulari commended President Bola Ahmed 

Tinubu, for the unprecedented inclusion of industry experts on the 

NNPC Ltd Board and Senior Management Team, describing it as a strategic move that strengthens commercial discipline and global competitiveness.

He added that the blend of internal expertise, international experience, and 

a highly skilled workforce positions NNPC Ltd as a commercially viable and 

performance-driven national energy company that will be the pride of all its 

stakeholders.