Heads Roll At NNPC As Ojulari Sacks Over 200 Officials

Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has terminated the appointment of over 200 officials in the national oil company.

Available reports gathered that the affected officials across various departments of the NNPC Limited were dismissed or forced into retirement.

Among those affected are the former Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Bala Wunti; the agency’s Chief Compliance Officer, Lawal Sade; and the Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ibrahim Onoja.

Maryamu Idris has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Trading, replacing Lawal, while Obioma Abangwu has been named Chief Liaison Officer to the NNPC Management Board.

Sources within the company disclosed that the move – Ojulari’s first major action since assuming office on April 4, 2025 – was received with cautious optimism.

Ojulari, a former top executive at Shell, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to replace Mele Kyari, who led the NNPC Limited for five years before his removal.

Many NNPC Limited officials were said to have expressed support for the shake-up, describing it as an opportunity to promote diversity and inject new energy into the oil company.

“This restructuring will significantly open up leadership roles for women and other underrepresented groups within NNPC,” a senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Peoples Gazette.

“It’s a bold move aimed at realigning the company’s priorities with modern corporate governance,” the official added.

The NNPC Limited spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, hasn’t commented on the development as of press time.