BREAKING: Shakeup at NNPC as Tinubu reportedly moves to appoint new leadership

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly making changes at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), with plans to replace the current Group Chief Executive Officer.

According to Empowered News Wire, Bayo Ojulari, a former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), is expected to take over from Mele Kyari.

In addition, Ahmadu Musa Kida, a former Deputy Managing Director of Total Oil, is set to become the new Chairman of the Board.

This would mean Chief Pius Akinyelure, who took the position in 2023, will be stepping down.

Reports also revealed that Kyari will remain in office until March 1, after which Roland Ewubare will assume the role of Group Chief Operating Officer.

Ewubare had previously resigned from NNPC amid rumours of disagreements with Kyari.

Ojulari, an experienced petroleum engineer, has worked in leadership roles across Nigeria, Europe, and the Middle East.

He was the Managing Director of SNEPCo from 2015 to 2021.

Similarly, Kida, a Nigerian engineer from Borno State, has decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, having worked with Total Nigeria since 1985.

He served as Deputy Managing Director for Deep Water Services and held board positions in Total’s upstream operations.