By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THOUSANDS OF employees filled the townhall at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, Towers, Abuja, as Bashir Bayo Ojulari, newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), made his first formal address to staff—committing to a transformative journey aimed at repositioning the energy giant as a symbol of national pride.
With conviction and clarity, Ojulari outlined his ambitious vision to unlock unprecedented growth across Nigeria’s energy sector.
“We stand at the gateway of a new era—one that demands courage, professionalism, and a relentless drive for excellence,” he declared, reaffirming his intention to transition NNPC Ltd. from promise to performance.
Ojulari’s revealed his blueprint which sets out bold growth targets: attracting $30 billion in sectoral investments by 2027, doubling that figure to $60 billion by 2030; sustaining crude oil production above 2 million barrels per day through 2027 and reaching 3 million by 2030; and expanding refining capacity from 200,000 barrels per day to half a million within the same timeframe.
On the gas front, he projected a rise to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027, scaling to 12 billion by 2030.
But beyond statistics, Ojulari pointed to something deeper: a national mission.
“These targets are not just metrics,” he said.
“They are indicators of hope, jobs, industrial growth, and energy security for millions of Nigerians,” he stressed.
To drive this transformation, he said the NNPC Ltd will undergo strategic realignment.
Key measures include restructuring for agility, deploying data-informed decision-making via independent value assessments, and implementing a rigorous performance management framework.
He adds that the company will also seek to build transparent partnerships across the sector and actively reclaim its public narrative.
Characterising NNPC Ltd as a “renewed, forward-facing and future-ready” institution, Ojulari challenged employees to embrace the company’s transformation with pride and purpose.
“Now is the time to tell our story—one of innovation, reform, and national pride,” he said.
He stressed that the evolution to a fully-fledged limited liability company would demand collective responsibility—an inclusive workplace culture where experienced veterans and emerging talent can thrive side by side.
“We will provide the best combination where the experienced and the young will both thrive towards achieving our set targets,” he assured.
Ojulari also reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing trust with internal and national unions, pledging open dialogue and mutual respect as a cornerstone of leadership. He urged staff to lead with integrity and act with urgency.
“Our greatest asset is our people,” he said in closing. “Our success will be powered by empowered employees. Together, we will build a high-performing, globally competitive NNPC Ltd. that is proudly Nigerian and proudly world-class.”
