By Chimezie Godfrey
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has disclosed that the Company is currently engaging partners with proven track records in refining and petrochemical operations to revamp its refineries and ensure sustainable profitability.
Ojulari made this known 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 on Wednesday.
He observed that historically, focus on refineries had largely centred on financing and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) delivery, noting that the approach has now shifted towards developing the right operating model 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 commerciality and sustained profitability, driven by its ongoing transformation agenda aimed at securing Nigeria’s energy future.
On the recent gains recorded in the reduction of crude oil theft and improved pipeline availability, Ojulari attributed the success to strengthened collaboration with upstream operators.
According to him, renewed engagement and trust have significantly boosted 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 focused on delivering in-country value through gas utilisation initiatives.
He described the plan as a customer-driven strategy designed to stimulate market growth and shared prosperity.
According to him, the Plan aligns closely 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, GCFR, for the unprecedented inclusion of industry experts on the NNPC Ltd Board and Senior Management Team.
He described the move as strategic, strengthening 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.