Executive Vice President of Downstream at NNPC Limited, Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, says Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector is experiencing a major transformation powered by deregulation, foreign exchange reforms, and stronger industry collaborations.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday at the 19th Africa Downstream Energy Week, themed “Energy Sustainability: Growth Beyond Boundaries and Competition,” Dagazau explained that ongoing reforms were unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation, and investment integration across the energy value chain.
> “We are witnessing strategic measures, supply partnerships, and joint investments that signal a shift from siloed operations to integrated ecosystems. These developments are not merely transactional. They are structural, redefining how we produce, distribute, and consume energy,” he said.
He emphasised that sustaining the sector’s current momentum would depend on key enablers such as security, infrastructure, transparency, and innovation.
> “The safety of our people and assets is foundational. Investment in robust infrastructure is essential to meet demand and unlock new opportunities,” Dagazau added.
The NNPC executive highlighted that frameworks like the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and fiscal incentives for renewable and gas projects had created a stable investment environment. He also noted the growing importance of digitalisation, automation, and low-carbon technologies in achieving efficiency and environmental sustainability.
According to him, government policies had spurred rapid growth in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) markets, creating fresh business opportunities and empowering indigenous entrepreneurs.
> “Despite local and global headwinds, Nigeria’s downstream sector enjoys strategic advantages. Abundant reserves and expanding infrastructure position the country as a regional energy hub,” Dagazau said.
He pointed out that the ongoing shift toward cleaner fuels was opening new export niches, while improved access to international financing platforms was boosting competitiveness.
Dagazau commended the growing collaboration among African downstream players through public listings, mergers, and cross-border partnerships, stressing that collective effort was key to Africa’s emergence as a global energy force.
> “Collaboration is Africa’s new competitive edge. To consolidate our gains and unlock new frontiers, cooperation must become our default mode,” he said.
He also praised platforms like OTL Africa Downstream Week for helping to align stakeholders and drive shared industry objectives.
> “At NNPC Limited, we are deploying new infrastructure and revamping existing assets to support strategic alliances. Our co-investments across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations reflect our belief that shared growth is sustainable growth,” he stated.
Dagazau urged industry leaders to see sustainability not as a limitation but as a driver of profitability, innovation, and long-term value.
> “The leaders who will thrive are those who deliver not just energy, but trust, transparency, and sustainability,” he noted.
He reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to building a secure, inclusive, and sustainable energy future through purposeful innovation and collaboration.
> “Together, we can grow beyond boundaries and competition, building an energy future for ourselves and for generations to come,” Dagazau said.
Also addressing the gathering, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described OTL Africa Downstream Energy Week as the continent’s premier platform for energy dialogue, policy reform, and investment.
Represented by the Commissioner for Energy Resources, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’s long-standing role as host of the annual event, which he said underscored the state’s reputation as the energy and logistics capital of sub-Saharan Africa.
> “We in Lagos take pride in hosting this global event, which has found a home in our city for nearly every edition since it began. This enduring relationship reinforces Lagos’s position as a true hub of innovation, enterprise, and strategic investment,” the governor said.
He praised the forum for influencing key policy shifts and encouraging private sector participation in the energy space.
> “Over the years, OTL Africa has played a pivotal role in shaping the agenda for downstream development across Africa, sparking reforms, attracting investments, and driving meaningful change,” he said.
Citing major investments by Mainland Oil and Gas and partnerships with Rainoil Ltd., Sanwo-Olu said the forum continued to stimulate growth in the sector.
He also noted how global technology firms like Dover Fueling Solutions had leveraged the platform to introduce automation and digital tools that are transforming fuel retailing across the continent.
> “These examples underscore the strength of collaboration, the very essence of this year’s theme — Growth Beyond Boundaries and Competition,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to clean energy and inclusive growth through policies such as the Lagos Electricity Policy and the Energy Transition Plan, which promote sustainability and private-sector participation.
> “As Chief Host, I reaffirm Lagos State’s commitment to collaborating with platforms like OTL Africa that bring together policymakers, regulators, investors, and innovators to build a sustainable energy future,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that discussions and partnerships formed during the event would open new doors for Nigeria and the continent.
> “I am confident that the deliberations and alliances made here will unlock new opportunities, not just for Lagos, but for Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” he said.
(NAN)
