The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has described Nigeria as a reliable destination for energy investment the world needs.

Speaking at the CERAWeek 2026 in Houston, Texas, the NNPC boss said the country has positioned itself as a dependable supplier, riding on the established legacies of stable policies, improved energy infrastructure security, partnerships, and the orientation of the government.

“The President has given NNPC the autonomy to act on its behalf and consolidate commercial solutions that are long-lasting.

“Balance is not about equal allocation; it is about optimal sequencing,” Ojulari stated, outlining a portfolio where oil sustains value today, gas underpins industrial growth, and transition investments are targeted and disciplined.

Speaking on the theme “Convergence and Competition: Energy, Technology and Geopolitics,” Ojulari told a global audience of energy leaders, including C-suite executives, energy secretaries and government ministers, that Nigeria’s strategy is grounded in realism, partnership, and disciplined delivery.

He said: “Capital goes where value is clear, and Nigeria has that value,” outlining a pragmatic approach to balancing the country’s immediate energy needs with its long-term transition ambitions.

The GCEO articulated NNPC’s core philosophy with characteristic clarity: “We are not choosing between today and tomorrow; we are funding the future with the present.”

Highlighting the critical role of partnerships in de-risking Nigeria’s deepwater assets, Ojulari noted that global players like Shell and Eni bring not only capital but execution capability, technology, and project discipline, particularly for assets like OPL 245 and other deepwater developments.

According to the oil executive, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has now firmly established regulatory certainty, while infrastructure gaps are being closed through targeted investments and security is being strengthened through a more robust architecture. “When the fundamentals are right, partnerships scale naturally,” he added.

Addressing Nigeria’s long-discussed gas potential, the GCEO noted that what is different now is execution discipline. Three key enablers are receiving focused attention: commercial pricing across the value chain, critical infrastructure like the AKK (Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano) pipeline, and bankable contracts that provide investor certainty. On the balance between domestic gas needs and LNG exports, Engr. Ojulari described a dynamic approach of portfolio optimisation—allocating gas where it delivers the highest combined national and commercial value.

The NNPC boss articulated a clear strategic shift, moving from resource ownership to resource monetisation. He emphasized that unlocking Nigeria’s significant proven but undeveloped reserves requires commercial discipline, competitive fiscal frameworks, and strong partnerships.