Tinubu Sacks Mele Kyari As NNPC CEO  Leadership

President Dismisses Mele Kyari, Appoints New Leadership Team

President Bola Tinubu has announced sweeping leadership changes at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. The restructuring, which took effect on April 2, 2025, includes the dismissal of Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and the dissolution of the company’s board.

The announcement, made through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the changes were in line with Tinubu’s vision of making NNPC a commercially viable entity that can attract global investment. The President exercised his authority under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to execute the leadership overhaul.

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A New Direction for NNPC: Strengthening Leadership

To steer the NNPC towards efficiency and profitability, President Tinubu appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO. A highly respected oil and gas professional, Ojulari takes over from Mele Kyari, who faced various industry challenges during his tenure.

Ojulari’s vast experience, particularly from his role as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), is expected to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In addition to Ojulari’s appointment, Ahmadu Musa Kida has been named the non-executive chairman of NNPC, replacing Pius Akinyelure. Kida, a seasoned energy expert with extensive experience, is anticipated to provide strategic guidance as the company undergoes critical transformations.

To strengthen the financial management of NNPC, Adedapo Segun has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). His appointment underscores the administration’s focus on ensuring financial discipline and accountability within the oil giant.

Furthermore, the President has appointed six non-executive directors to represent Nigeria’s geopolitical zones on the NNPC board. These directors include:

• Bello Rabiu (North-West)
• Yusuf Usman (North-East)
• Babs Omotowa (North-Central)
• Austin Avuru (South-South)
• David Ige (South-West)
• Henry Obih (South-East)

Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Lydia Shehu Jafiya, and Aminu Said Ahmed from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will serve as government representatives on the board.

Transforming NNPC for Economic Growth

The restructuring of NNPC is part of a broader strategic action plan by the Tinubu administration to enhance operational efficiency and maximize revenue from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

One of the key focus areas for the new leadership team is a comprehensive review of NNPC’s Joint Venture (JV) assets and operations. The objective is to ensure that these ventures align with value maximization goals, making NNPC more competitive and attractive to investors.

President Tinubu has set ambitious targets for the oil sector, including increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production to two million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and three million bpd by 2030. To support these production goals, the administration aims to ramp up gas production to 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

The government’s drive for domestic refining is also a major priority. Tinubu has set a goal for NNPC to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day by 2027 and 500,000 barrels per day by 2030. Achieving these targets would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports and bolster the nation’s energy security.

Since taking office in 2023, the Tinubu administration has attracted $17 billion in new investments into Nigeria’s oil sector. The President aims to increase this to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030. These investments are expected to accelerate infrastructure development and create thousands of jobs.

Introducing The New Leadership: Expertise in Oil and Gas

The new NNPC leadership team brings a wealth of experience from diverse backgrounds in the energy sector.

Ahmadu Musa Kida – Non-Executive Chairman

Ahmadu Musa Kida, the newly appointed chairman, has over three decades of experience in the oil and gas industry. He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied civil engineering. Kida also holds a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol in Paris.

Throughout his career, he has held key positions in the industry, including serving as Deputy Managing Director of Total Exploration and Production. His leadership at NNPC is expected to bring strong governance and strategic oversight.

Bayo Ojulari – Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO)

Bayo Ojulari, the new GCEO, is a highly accomplished petroleum engineer with extensive experience in strategic planning, process engineering, and field development.

Ojulari, a native of Kwara State, previously served as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). His expertise in exploration, production, and operational efficiency makes him a valuable addition to the NNPC leadership team.

Acknowledging the Past, Looking to the Future

As part of the transition, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing NNPC board members, acknowledging their contributions, particularly in rehabilitating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. These refineries, which had been non-operational for years, have now resumed petroleum product production.

The President wished the departing officials success in their future endeavors and reaffirmed his commitment to achieving energy self-sufficiency for Nigeria.

Conclusion: A New Era for NNPC

The leadership overhaul at NNPC marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. With a fresh executive team, ambitious production targets, and a focus on domestic refining, President Tinubu’s administration is setting the stage for a more efficient and competitive energy sector.

The newly appointed officials, led by Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, are expected to drive strategic reforms that will enhance revenue generation, improve operational efficiency, and restore investor confidence in NNPC.

As Nigeria works towards becoming a key player in the global energy market, the success of these reforms will be crucial in shaping the nation’s economic future. The coming years will test the ability of the new leadership to deliver on Tinubu’s vision and transform NNPC into a world-class oil company.