NNPC Ltd Reaffirms Commitment to Building a Robust and Sustainable Downstream Sector

By Iyojo Ameh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening and expanding the country’s downstream oil and gas infrastructure to foster greater collaboration, efficiency, and sustainability within the sector.

Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, gave the assurance on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2025 OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week in Lagos, themed “Energy Sustainability: Beyond Boundaries & Competition.”

Ojulari explained that the company is presently focused on revamping critical facilities across the oil and gas value chain, a move he said would not only enhance operational efficiency but also attract investment and foster partnerships across the industry.

“At NNPC, we are committed to deploying additional infrastructure across the oil and gas value chain while revamping our existing downstream infrastructure nationwide,” Ojulari stated.
“These assets will be accessible to partners seeking to store and transport products, supporting strategic alliances and collaboration in the downstream sector.”

The NNPC boss maintained that competition alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee growth and efficiency in the industry, stressing that operators must now embrace collaboration, sustainability, and resilience as new benchmarks for success.

In a statement issued by Mr. Andrew Odeh, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Ojulari highlighted that recent strategic policies, fiscal incentives, and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have created an enabling environment for expansion within the sector.

He added that this development calls for new skill sets and increased investments in emerging business areas such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and mini-LNG projects.

Ojulari also urged stakeholders and participants at the conference to identify challenges and explore opportunities that can redefine Africa’s energy systems in ways that balance profitability and sustainability.

“We must forge cross-sector partnerships that transcend traditional competition and explore innovative business models and technologies that support decarbonization while driving economic value,” he said.

The OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week is recognized as the continent’s premier downstream and midstream energy event, bringing together policymakers, regulators, operators, and service providers to discuss strategies for advancing Africa’s energy value chain.