Executive Vice President of Upstream at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan Ojulari, has called on African nations to carve out a distinct and independent path in the global energy transition, stressing that the continent’s unique realities must not be overlooked.

Speaking at an international energy summit, Ojulari emphasized that Africa’s development priorities differ significantly from those of industrialized nations and that energy policies must reflect the region’s need for growth, access, and affordability.

“The global energy transition cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said. “Africa must define its own trajectory, one that balances the urgent need for economic development with environmental sustainability.”

Ojulari warned against the imposition of Western energy models on the continent, arguing that such strategies often ignore Africa’s infrastructure gaps and the critical role fossil fuels still play in powering homes, industries, and economies across the region.

He also highlighted the NNPC’s ongoing investments in cleaner technologies, gas infrastructure, and renewable energy projects, while maintaining that oil and gas would remain a central part of Africa’s energy mix in the near future.

Energy analysts have echoed Ojulari’s call, urging African governments to strengthen regional collaboration, attract sustainable investment, and push back against external pressures that do not align with local interests.

His remarks come at a time when global climate discourse is intensifying ahead of COP meetings, with developing nations demanding a more equitable framework that recognizes the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.”

Ojulari’s message has resonated across the continent, reinforcing the growing sentiment that Africa must lead its own energy agenda on its own terms.