NNPC Advocates AI Adoption to Boost Oil Production

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd is advocating for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to cut production costs and enhance efficiency in the oil and gas sector. Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari disclosed this during the 2026 Oloibiri Lecture on Energy held in Abuja.

The NNPC aims to unlock $24 billion in fresh investments and an additional $10 billion from existing pipelines to reach its target of producing three million barrels per day (bpd). Ojulari emphasized the importance of digital transformation and AI in resolving long-standing issues, including legacy asset disputes that have previously stalled investment decisions.

He outlined a three-pronged strategy for achieving the production target: protecting existing assets, accelerating near-term production growth, and restructuring the company's portfolio to attract new investors. The NNPC's efforts are seen as crucial for restoring investor confidence and ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria's oil production.