Africa must take control of its energy transition by embracing innovation, building strategic alliances, and investing in local talent, according to the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari.

Ojulari issued the call during his keynote address at the 2025 Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE), urging Nigeria and other African countries to define their own energy path based on regional needs and not foreign pressure.

Technology, People and Policy at the Centre

“The future of energy is not pre-written,” said Ojulari. “Africa must shape its own story through bold investment and practical innovation.”

He identified carbon capture, hydrogen, smart grids, AI exploration tools, and modular gas systems as vital technologies Africa must adopt, not as trends but as tools to secure net-zero ambitions without sacrificing energy access.

Ojulari added, “We must stop seeing energy transition as a copy-paste template. It must be negotiated, contextual, and people-focused.”

Partnership Over Isolation

Addressing the continent’s energy inequalities, he said millions still lack basic power and clean cooking fuel. “Our people need energy, not lectures,” Ojulari remarked. “This transition must deliver justice not more exclusion.”

He advocated regional cooperation, stronger engagement with civil society, and strategic financing to overcome barriers such as capital flight, infrastructure gaps, and climate risks.

“We need robust partnerships. No country can solve this alone,” he warned. “Government, financiers, and communities must come together with clear, shared goals.”

Reforming Investment and Governance

To attract meaningful investment, Ojulari urged African governments to improve governance, simplify regulation, and create transparent investment environments. He also called for the use of petroleum revenues to fund renewable energy and local innovation.

“Let us use what we have to build what we need,” he said. “We can fund clean energy, train our youth, and build smart infrastructure that supports both hydrocarbons and renewables.”

Youth Must Lead Africa’s Energy Future

The NNPCL chief placed strong emphasis on STEM education and youth inclusion. “This transition is not just about fuels. It’s about people,” he said. “Our young people must see energy as a space for invention, not just extraction.”

He added, “We need to inspire the next generation to lead the energy narrative not follow it.”