By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has vowed to drive bold reforms and strategic growth initiatives to transform the national oil company into a globally competitive energy giant.
Addressing thousands of employees during his inaugural townhall meeting at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Thursday, Ojulari pledged to build an NNPC that would be the pride of all Nigerians. Describing the role as “a huge honour and responsibility,” he emphasized the significance of the company to Nigeria’s future.
“We stand at the gateway of a new era—one that demands courage, professionalism, and a relentless drive for excellence,” Ojulari said. “The task before us is great, yet the opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s energy future is even greater.”
Unveiling his strategic agenda, Ojulari set ambitious targets, including attracting $30 billion in sectoral investments by 2027 and doubling that to $60 billion by 2030. He also aims to boost crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030. Plans are also underway to expand refining capacity to 200,000 bpd by 2027 and 500,000 bpd by 2030, while increasing gas production to 12 billion cubic feet per day by the end of the decade.
To deliver on these goals, the GCEO outlined key focus areas such as restructuring NNPC Ltd’s business model for agility and value creation, enforcing performance management systems, and forging transparent, value-aligned partnerships. “These targets are not just metrics; they represent hope, jobs, industrial growth, and energy security for millions of Nigerians,” he added.
Ojulari described the NNPC as a “renewed, forward-facing, and future-ready” institution and called on employees to take pride in the transformation journey. “It’s time we tell our story—one of innovation, reform, and national pride,” he said.
Promising an inclusive leadership approach, he assured staff that both experienced professionals and young talents would be empowered to thrive. “We will provide the best combination where the experienced and the young will both thrive towards achieving our set targets.”
Ojulari also pledged closer collaboration with internal and national unions to foster a culture of mutual trust and shared purpose. Emphasizing the importance of integrity, urgency, and excellence, he called on staff to bring their best to the table.
“Our success will be powered by empowered employees,” he concluded. “Together, we will build a high-performing, globally competitive NNPC Ltd that is proudly Nigerian and proudly world-class.”