Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd., has intensified efforts to secure financing for its growth ambitions and commercial transformation, holding strategic discussions with global banking giant, Standard Chartered Plc, on investment and funding opportunities.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, hosted the Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered Plc, Mr. Bill Winters, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, where both parties explored financing options to support the national oil company’s expansion plans and long-term strategic objectives.
The discussions focused on funding opportunities for NNPC Ltd.’s growth agenda and its ongoing repositioning as a commercially driven national energy company in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, 2021.
Speaking during the meeting, Ojulari emphasized the company’s commitment to achieving its 2030 strategic targets, noting that NNPC Ltd. is aligning its operations with global best practices and performance standards.
According to him, the company is “vigorously pursuing” its 2030 objectives while setting its operating standards in line with those of leading global energy producers.
The engagement comes as NNPC Ltd. continues efforts to attract investment into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, expand production capacity, strengthen energy security and enhance its competitiveness in the global energy market.
For Standard Chartered, the meeting underscored growing international interest in Nigeria’s energy sector and the commercial opportunities emerging from ongoing industry reforms.
Speaking at the meeting, Winters commended NNPC Ltd.’s commercial orientation and strategic direction, describing the company’s transformation agenda as a positive development for investors.
He lauded “NNPC Ltd.’s commercial focus and the clarity of its strategy,” while reaffirming Standard Chartered’s commitment to supporting energy investments in Nigeria.
Winters also expressed the bank’s readiness to support NNPC Ltd.’s expansion plans through its extensive global investor network and structured finance capabilities.
According to him, Standard Chartered remains committed to Nigeria’s energy sector and is prepared to leverage its expertise in structured financing to support the company’s business growth initiatives.
The engagement highlights NNPC Ltd.’s drive to deepen partnerships with international financial institutions as it seeks to unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen its balance sheet and accelerate its transition into a commercially successful and globally competitive energy company.
