By Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kyari has disclosed that the corporation is ready to play important role in the future energy and has set machineries to lead Africa in transition to low-carbon energy and renewables.
He disclosed this in a paper titled: “Navigating Energy Transition and the Imperatives of University – Industry Collaboration”, which he delivered during the First Quarter 2021 Public Lecture Series at the Auditorium of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto on Monday.
Towards leading in the global shift to renewable energy, the corporation, he said, had institutionalised necessary enablers for success. “NNPC has established a Renewable Energy Division and have completely transformed the NNPC Research and Development Division to NNPC Research, Technology and Innovation as part of our key initiatives to transit to Energy Company of Global Excellence”
Kyari who observed that since “the world transition to renewable energy will continue to gain momentum,” also said “African government and institutions must therefore rise to the occasion to leverage on technology and innovation to support energy sufficiency, industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.”
The GMD added that building on the convergence of new technologies and innovative business models, the NNPC is “deepening natural gas utilisation under the National Gas Expansion Programme, NGEP,” including the current extension of natural gas infrastructure backbone under the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas pipeline project.
According to him, oil industry had grown to be the top-three biggest and most valuable industries in the world and changed the fortunes of both producing and consuming nations, while “creating wealth and prosperity that catalysed the growth of other sectors of the global economy.”
Kyari said: “As renewable energy increases its share of the energy mix, oil is likely to account for about 44% of World Energy Supply in 2050, compared to 53% today.”
Stressing the imperatives of university/industry collaboration, the GMD observed that “the industry alone cannot drive substantial innovation without sustained collaboration with universities, research institutes, manufacturers, policymakers and regulators.
“We know that we cannot do it all alone, so we are broadening collaboration with key stakeholders across the industry and the university as a key step to realizing our vision and growth aspirations. NNPC welcomes beneficial experts who demonstrate capacity for productive research and innovation in the energy sector,” he said.
The GMD added that changes were involved in transit energy systems for which the right commitment is required.
“The efforts to transit energy systems involve changes, not only to energy technologies and prices but also to the broader socioeconomic assemblages that are built around energy production and consumption.
“Our readiness for energy transition cannot be complete without the right climate, capital, effective regulation and stakeholders’ commitment, stable institutions and governance, supportive infrastructure and an innovative business environment that can accommodate the anticipated changes,” Kyari emphasised.
He further stressed that the continent is endowed with abundant sunshine and expansive landmass, which if well harnessed “can support massive development of renewable energy resources that will put Africa on the map of energy sufficient regions of the world.
While positing that researches must translate to value, Kyari also called on universities to find quicker ways of putting oil on the table.
The chairman of the occasion and governor of Kebbi state, Sen. Atiku Bagudu eulogised the leadership style of Kyari who, according to him, “was not only able to increase revenue even though oil prices went down during the first phase of COVID-19, but also increased exploratory activities across Nigeria. He has transformed NNPC into giant energy player that could become a global cynosure of all eyes.
Also speaking, the chief host at the occasion and governor Aminu Tambuwal assured that “Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states were ready to collaborate with the NNPC, especially on oil exploration. We have all the resources including solar, wind and biogas. We have collaborated to find out that there is oil reserve here. The resources are abundant here. Come and explore them for the benefit of Nigerians.”
