In a powerful New Year address, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has positioned the state-owned energy giant as the dependable powerhouse driving Nigeria's economic advancement.
A Year of Resilience and Record Performance
In his message to staff, seen by The Guardian, Ojulari reflected on 2025 as a period marked by resilience, significant reforms, and outstanding performance. He emphasized that the company's production growth has been a primary catalyst for national revenue, while its focus on infrastructure has fortified the country's energy framework.
Ojulari directly linked NNPCL's success to the broader economic health of Nigeria, stating that securing the nation's energy needs is a fundamental prerequisite for industrialization and sustainable growth. He attributed the year's achievements to a clear strategic vision and disciplined execution.
Historic Milestones and Strategic Expansions
The NNPCL boss provided concrete data to back his claims, highlighting several landmark accomplishments. He revealed that the Exploration and Production sector achieved a historic output of 355,000 barrels of oil per day, a level not seen since 1989.
This production surge was driven by key projects including:
- First oil from the Madu field.
- Optimization of the Soku Pipeline.
- The successful start-up of the Akpo West project.
- The commissioning of the Gbaran Nodal Compression Train.
On the infrastructure front, Ojulari pointed to the commissioning of the critical ANOH-OB3 pipeline and the successful completion of the AKK pipeline's River Niger crossing as major steps forward.
Beyond core oil and gas operations, NNPCL Retail expanded its lubricant brand, Oleum, into the West African sub-region. The company also marked a corporate transparency milestone by hosting its first-ever Group Earnings Call to announce audited 2024 financial results.
Investing in People and Partnerships for the Future
Ojulari underscored the central role of NNPCL's workforce in these successes. He noted improvements in employee well-being through enhanced compensation and the recruitment of 1,000 new graduates, dubbed "Tigers," to cultivate the next generation of company leaders.
The Board's support was also highlighted through the approval of new Delegation of Authority frameworks, designed to boost efficiency and empower leaders across the business.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ojulari declared execution excellence as a non-negotiable priority, with profitable growth guiding all investment choices. He stressed the importance of transparency and trust in fostering partnerships that enable faster and more efficient project delivery.
Finally, he called for an "enterprise-first" mindset company-wide, arguing that this approach is essential for achieving shared success and creating long-term value for Nigeria.
