NNPCL boss Ojulari calls for unified West African fuel market

Barbara Bako, Abuja.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has called for urgent regional integration to transform West Africa into a unified, efficient, and globally competitive refined fuel market.

Speaking at the high-level conference themed “West African Refined Fuel Market: Pathway to a Regional Reference Market”, held on Tuesday in Abuja, Ojulari stated that the region stands at a historic crossroads where energy security, economic growth, and geopolitical strategy must now be approached collectively, not in silos.

Ojulari declared, “We convene today at an inflection point in global energy history where the imperatives of energy transition, supply security, and Africa’s demographic and economic momentum are converging. This convergence is not without complexity, but it is rich with opportunities—if we choose foresight over inertia and collaboration over isolation.”

Citing projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ojulari noted that global energy demand is expected to grow by over 25% by 2040, with Africa as a major contributor.

He emphasized that for West Africa to fully harness this demand, the region must shift from fragmented supply chains to an integrated, cross-border refined fuel ecosystem.

Ojulari also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing investments in refining capacity both public and private as a potential backbone for regional supply.

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He described the strategic role of NNPCL as an enabler of market stability and infrastructure coordination.

He said, “Nigeria is positioned to be a supply anchor for the region. But true transformation will only come when we align our infrastructure, harmonize our regulatory frameworks, and speak with one policy voice as West Africans.”

The NNPC boss warned that continued dependence on imported refined products from outside the continent undermines Africa’s economic resilience and exposes the region to price shocks and logistics disruptions.

Other speakers at the event including regulators from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and ECOWAS officials echoed the call for joint planning, seamless logistics corridors, and shared technical standards.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was also cited as a key platform for eliminating barriers and boosting intra-African petroleum trade.

As the conference closed, participants agreed that the path to a regional reference market lies in collective action leveraging local capacity, building cross-border infrastructure, and fostering regulatory cohesion to meet Africa’s rising energy needs on African terms.