Yemi Obafemi
The Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari says collaboration with the Dangote Refinery has strengthened Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
Speaking with Channels Television on the sidelines of the CERAWeek by S&P Global in Houston, United States, Ojulari highlighted NNPC’s 7.25% stake in the Dangote Refinery as a key element in ensuring stable product distribution.
“We have been working closely with the Dangote Group on crude supply and refining operations, which has contributed to the steady availability of petroleum products across Nigeria,” he said.
Ojulari also emphasized the strategic importance of completing the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) pipeline to expand gas access in northern Nigeria.
He noted that domestic gas projects have already catalyzed industrial development in the Southeast, including Aba and Umuahia, and in the Southwest, such as Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ogun State.
“Completing the AKK pipeline will enhance gas supply to northern cities like Kano, support job creation, and improve electricity generation,” he explained. “Energy security for Nigerians remains our top priority.”
On corporate transformation, Ojulari said NNPC is pursuing reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to become a globally competitive oil company akin to Saudi Aramco, Petronas, or Petrobras.
He stressed that achieving this goal requires cooperation across government branches and the public to allow NNPC to operate as a commercially-driven, private-sector-style entity.
Last month, President Bola Tinubu signed Executive Order 9, formally titled “The Upstream Petroleum Operations Cost Efficiency Incentives Order (2025),” aimed at enhancing transparency and protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas revenues.
While some stakeholders, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), expressed reservations, Ojulari endorsed the initiative.
“The intent of Executive Order 9 is to improve revenue transparency across the entire energy sector, not just NNPC.
“We are actively collaborating with the implementation team, providing technical data to ensure its objectives are fully realized,” he said.
