NNPC Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sonatrach to strengthen cooperation in research, development, and innovation within the oil and gas sector.
The agreement, facilitated through NNPC’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Division in collaboration with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, establishes a formal framework for joint research initiatives and technology exchange between both national oil companies.
The MoU was signed by NNPC’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and Sonatrach’s Managing Director, Khodjah Mohamed, according to a statement issued by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh.
The signing ceremony took place during the opening of the 3rd Meeting of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation Forum for Research and Development Directors, held at the PTDF Tower in Abuja. The event brought together R&D leaders from member countries to discuss strategies for advancing Africa’s energy sector.
Read Also:
Speaking at the forum, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri—represented by former APPO Secretary General, Omar Farouk Ibrahim—said the initiative is part of broader efforts by APPO to address challenges posed by the global energy transition, particularly in funding, technology, and market access.
Lokpobiri noted that while the R&D forum focuses on technology and expertise, other initiatives such as the African Energy Bank aim to tackle financing gaps, while the Central African Pipeline System is designed to enhance regional market integration.
In his remarks, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, represented by Chief Financial Officer Adedapo Segun, emphasized the critical role of research and development in driving competitiveness within Africa’s oil and gas industry.
He called for stronger collaboration among member countries, urging stakeholders to pool resources, integrate data, and share risks. Ojulari also highlighted the need for rapid adoption of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced engineering, across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
APPO Secretary General, Farid Ghezali, stressed the importance of ensuring that research outcomes are practical and directly beneficial to the continent.
Similarly, PTDF Executive Secretary, Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, underscored the significance of the partnership in supporting decarbonisation and environmental sustainability efforts across member states.
Also speaking, Chief Innovation Officer of NNPC’s RTI Division and incoming Chairman of the APPO R&D Directors Forum, Rasheed Ojulari, said the forum would prioritise joint programmes in upstream optimisation, artificial intelligence, decarbonisation processes, and industrial systems development.
