Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria has achieved full pipeline availability for the first time in two decades, restoring confidence in the resilience of its oil and gas infrastructure, according to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
Ojulari disclosed this at the 7th African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation, APPO, National Oil Companies CEOs Forum, where he addressed regional energy leaders on the future of Africa’s energy security.
“Through strengthened partnerships with host communities and security agencies, Nigeria has achieved 100% pipeline availability for the first time in 20 years,” Ojulari said.
“This milestone has restored confidence in the resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure.”
The NNPC boss noted that pipeline sabotage and oil theft had long undermined Nigeria’s energy output and revenue. But he stressed that enhanced collaboration has transformed the outlook, creating a more secure environment for investors and operators.
Highlighting the broader reforms underpinning this progress, Ojulari credited the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, with creating an enabling environment for investments across the oil and gas value chain.
“Africa must take ownership of its resources and policies. With our vast resource base and improved governance structures, I am confident the continent can secure its energy destiny,” he added.
Ojulari also spotlighted NNPC’s flagship infrastructure projects, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline and the Nigeria–Morocco gas pipeline, which will extend the West African Gas Pipeline network to enhance regional integration and cross-border trade.
“When we started, we faced challenges with alignment, payments, and collaboration, but today the framework is working. The plan is to extend the pipeline to Côte d’Ivoire as the first phase, and ultimately to Morocco,” he explained.
Benchmarking NNPC against global energy majors such as Petrobras, Petronas, and Saudi Aramco, Ojulari reiterated the company’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and collective progress to unlock Africa’s full energy potential.
