Ojulari Seeks Relevant Agencies’ Support To Break Bureaucratic Barriers, Accelerate Results

In a move to reinvigorate Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bashir Bayo Ojulari,  has called for strengthened collaboration with critical government institutions to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate national development goals.

Ojulari made this pledge during a courtesy visit on the minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Wednesday, underscoring a shared vision of progress and performance for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.i, in Abuja on Wednesday, where he emphasised NNPC Ltd’s commitment to fostering alignment across ministries and agencies to fulfill President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic mandates.

Addressing Lokpobiri, Ojulari outlined a vision of unity, stating, “We are here with a mindset of partnership—partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Finance, and all critical stakeholders. Our goal is to bridge gaps, foster alignment, and move forward with a united front. Antagonism benefits no one; collaboration is how we win.”

The GCEO stressed that the NNPC Ltd leadership team, under his stewardship, is prioritising operational efficiency and synergy to overcome systemic challenges. He emphasised that breaking bureaucratic bottlenecks would require sustained inter-agency cooperation, particularly in streamlining processes to boost crude oil production and sector profitability.

In response, Lokpobiri lauded Ojulari’s proactive approach, describing the newly inaugurated NNPC Ltd management as “arguably the strongest leadership team the company has ever assembled.” He challenged the executives to translate their expertise into measurable outcomes, particularly in reversing production declines and maximizing the sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

“Now is the time to deliver optimal value to the Nigerian people,” Lokpobiri asserted, pledging full ministerial support to create an enabling environment for NNPC Ltd’s operations.

The meeting marked a pivotal step in aligning federal priorities with NNPC Ltd’s operational strategies. Both parties agreed on the urgent need to address legacy inefficiencies, enhance transparency, and leverage partnerships to attract investments.

Ojulari’s emphasis on collaboration signals a departure from fragmented approaches, with NNPC Ltd positioning itself as a bridge between policymakers, regulators, and industry players. This model, he noted, will prioritize swift execution of projects critical to energy security and economic stability.

The renewed partnership between NNPC Ltd and the Petroleum Ministry underscores a shared resolve to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as a global competitor. With a focus on innovation, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, the collaboration aims to unlock the sector’s full potential in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As Ojulari and his team embark on this mission, their success will hinge on converting dialogue into actionable reforms—a challenge Lokpobiri insists is non-negotiable for national progress.

This strategic alignment sets the stage for accelerated growth in Nigeria’s energy sector, with NNPC Ltd at the forefront of driving sustainable development and economic resilience.