Mr Bashir Ojulari, the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has promised to secure significant investments totaling $60 billion and push Nigeria’s crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day (bpd) by the year 2030.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with NNPC staff in Abuja shortly after stepping into his new role, Ojulari laid out a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the national oil company into a globally competitive energy giant. The meeting served as his first major engagement with employees, where he shared his strategic plans and vision for the future.
Ojulari noted that he plans to attract $30 billion in investments by 2027, with the target doubling by 2030. He also outlined a path to steadily increasing crude production, beginning with a sustained output of over 2 million bpd through 2027 and reaching 3 million bpd by the end of the decade.
In addition to boosting oil production, Ojulari revealed that the company is working towards expanding its refining capacity. He noted that refining output is expected to grow to 200,000 barrels per day by 2027 and climb to 500,000 barrels per day by 2030.
On the gas front, he set ambitious targets as well. According to him, NNPC plans to increase gas production to 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet by 2030. This move aims to improve energy access and affordability across the country.
“We stand at the gateway of a new era—one that demands courage, professionalism, and a relentless drive for excellence,” Ojulari told employees.
To achieve the outlined goals, the GCEO stressed the need for strategic restructuring within the company. He said the NNPC would undertake independent value assessments, focus on building agile structures for value creation, and implement a strong performance management system.
Ojulari also pointed out the importance of transparent partnerships, stating that the company will work closely with stakeholders and ensure it takes charge of its own narrative. He described the targets not just as numbers, but as meaningful indicators tied to job creation, industrial development, and national energy security.
Encouraging staff to take pride in the company’s recent transformation into a limited liability entity, Ojulari assured them of a supportive environment that fosters innovation and performance.
“We will provide the best combination where the experienced and the young will both thrive towards achieving our set targets,” he said.
He pledged to strengthen collaboration with internal and national labor unions, promising a workplace built on trust, shared goals, and mutual respect. Emphasizing the importance of integrity and commitment, he called on every employee to bring their best efforts forward.
“We recognise that our greatest asset is our people. Our success will be powered by empowered employees. As such, we are fully committed to creating a workplace where everyone is valued, motivated, and inspired to thrive.
“Together, we will build a high-performing, globally competitive NNPC Ltd. that is proudly Nigerian and proudly world-class,” he concluded.
