In a landmark decision, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This follows the removal of Mele Kyari, who had led the state-owned oil giant since 2019.
Ojulari’s appointment signals a new direction for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which has struggled with declining production, crude oil theft, and investor skepticism.
Who Is Bashir Bayo Ojulari?
Bashir Bayo Ojulari is a seasoned oil and gas executive with extensive experience in deepwater exploration and energy management. His key credentials include:
Former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria’s Deepwater Operations – overseeing major offshore projects that contributed significantly to Nigeria’s oil output.
Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Africa Energy Company – leading strategies for energy efficiency and sustainable development.
Over 25 years of experience in the global oil industry, with expertise in project execution, refining, and upstream operations.
Ojulari is expected to bring a private-sector approach to NNPCL, focusing on efficiency, profitability, and transparency.
Why Tinubu Chose Ojulari
President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Ojulari comes amid urgent calls for reforms in the oil and gas sector. Key areasons behind his selection include:
Industry Expertise: Ojulari’s deepwater and offshore experience aligns with Nigeria’s push to expand oil exploration.
Investor Confidence: His track record with Shell could help attract foreign investment in Nigeria’s oil sector.
Operational Efficiency: With ongoing fuel subsidy issues and refinery setbacks, his leadership could drive sustainable production.
Corruption Cleanup: NNPCL has faced allegations of mismanagement, and a leadership change may signal a push for transparency.
Ojulari’s Key Objectives as NNPCL GCEO
The newly appointed GCEO has ambitious targets to reposition NNPCL:
🔹 Increase Nigeria’s oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030.
🔹 Enhance refining capacity to 500,000 barrels per day, reducing the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
🔹 Attract foreign and local investment to stabilize Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
🔹 Tackle crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which have cost Nigeria billions in lost revenue.
🔹 Fast-track NNPCL’s potential stock market listing, making it a publicly accountable corporation.
What Happens Next?
Ojulari’s leadership will be closely watched as he takes over NNPCL. His success or failure will determine whether Nigeria’s oil industry can regain its strength and deliver on Tinubu’s vision for a more efficient, transparent, and profitable NNPCL.
Will this leadership change mark a turning point for Nigeria’s oil sector? Only time will tell.
Stay updated with TheWatch.NG for the latest on this developing story.
