Tinubu Overhauls NNPCL Leadership: Sacks Kyari, Appoints Ojulari as New GCEO

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), appointing Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as his replacement.

Alongside this leadership change, Ahmadu Musa Kida has been named the new non-executive chairman, marking a significant shake-up at the state-owned oil corporation. The announcement, made late Tuesday from the Presidential Villa, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s energy sector, a critical pillar of the nation’s economy.

As part of a broader restructuring, President Tinubu also dissolved the entire NNPCL board, which had been appointed in November 2023, including former chairman Pius Akinyelure and other key figures. This sweeping decision signals the administration’s intent to address deep-rooted inefficiencies, fuel scarcity, and revenue losses in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, a seasoned energy sector professional, steps into the GCEO role at a pivotal time. Renowned for his technical expertise and experience managing complex oil and gas projects, he is expected to bring a fresh perspective to NNPCL’s upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.

Ahmadu Musa Kida, the newly appointed non-executive chairman, brings a wealth of leadership experience, having held significant roles in sports administration and the private sector. His appointment is viewed as a strategic effort to enhance corporate governance and strengthen oversight at the corporation.

The reconstituted board balances technocratic expertise with regional representation, reflecting President Tinubu’s commitment to competence and geopolitical inclusivity. Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer in November 2024, retains his position and joins the new board. A financial expert with a reputation for fiscal discipline, Segun is expected to play a crucial role in stabilizing NNPCL’s finances amid volatile global oil markets.

Additionally, six non-executive directors have been appointed to represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu from the North West, a business leader with deep regional economic ties; Yusuf Usman from the North East, a respected public administrator; Babs Omotowa from the North Central, former Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, known for his operational excellence; Austin Avuru from the South-South, an oil industry veteran and co-founder of Seplat Energy, bringing extensive upstream expertise; David Ige from the South West, a power sector specialist expected to drive energy infrastructure innovations; and Henry Obih from the South East, a seasoned corporate management technocrat.

The board also includes two government representatives: Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, who ensures financial accountability, and Aminu Said Ahmed, who represents the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and aligns NNPCL’s strategies with national energy policies.

Mele Kyari, who served as GCEO since July 2019, oversaw the transition of NNPCL from a state corporation to a limited liability company in 2022 under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). His tenure was marked by efforts to boost oil production and combat pipeline vandalism but was also marred by persistent fuel shortages, subsidy removal debates, and concerns over financial transparency. While no official reason was given for his dismissal, sources suggest Tinubu sought new leadership to inject fresh momentum into NNPCL’s mandate of ensuring energy security and economic growth.

The dissolution of the previous board—just 17 months after its appointment—has raised eyebrows, particularly with the removal of Pius Akinyelure, a known ally of the president. Analysts speculate that Tinubu is working to distance NNPCL from political influences and reposition it as a commercially competitive entity.

Engr. Ojulari inherits a company facing numerous challenges, including aging infrastructure, declining oil output due to theft and underinvestment, and the complexities of Nigeria’s post-subsidy energy landscape. His technical expertise could prove crucial in revamping the nation’s four state-owned refineries, which have remained largely inactive despite massive rehabilitation expenditures.

The new board’s immediate focus will likely include enhancing transparency, increasing domestic refining capacity, and forging stronger partnerships with international oil firms.

With fluctuating global oil prices and Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves under pressure, NNPCL’s performance under its new leadership will be closely watched. President Tinubu has directed the board to hold its inaugural meeting within the next week to develop a strategic roadmap for the company’s future.