President Tinubu Appoints Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as New NNPCL Group CEO, Succeeding Mele Kyari

President Tinubu Appoints Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as New NNPCL Group CEO, Succeeding Mele Kyari

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), succeeding Mallam Mele Kyari. The announcement, made on Wednesday, is part of a comprehensive restructuring of the NNPCL board, which included the removal of Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and other board members appointed in November 2023…READ MORE…

Bashir Bayo Ojulari, an engineer from Kwara State, brings over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector to his new position. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, where he led a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) through a consortium of indigenous energy firms. Ojulari holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and began his career with Elf Aquitaine before moving to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), established in 1977, has had 20 individuals serve as its Group Managing Directors (GMD) since its inception. Below is a summary of NNPC’s past and current leadership:

1. Bashir Bayo Ojulari (2025-present) – Former Executive Vice President of Renaissance Africa Energy Company.
2. Mele Kyari (2019-2025) – A geologist and crude oil marketer, previously the Group General Manager of NNPC’s Crude Oil Marketing Division and Nigeria’s representative at OPEC.
3. Maikanti Baru (2016-2019) – An engineer and crude oil marketer who also served as Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services.
4. Ibe Kachikwu (2015-2016) – A politician and lawyer who was also the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
5. Joseph Thlama Dawha (2014-2015) – Former Group Executive Director of Exploration and Production at NNPC.
6. Andrew Yakubu (2012-2014) – Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan, later succeeded by Joseph Dawha.
7. Augustine O. Oniwon (2010-2012) – A Harvard and Oxford-educated engineer, served in various roles at NNPC since 1977.
8. Shenu Ladan (2010) – A lawyer and oil and gas strategist from Kaduna State.
9. Muhammed Barkindo (2009-2010) – Former OPEC Secretary General, led Nigeria’s technical delegation to UN climate negotiations.
10. Abubakar Yar’Adua (2007-2009) – Focused on eradicating corruption, served exclusively within NNPC throughout his career.
11. Funsho Kupolokun (2003-2007) – Held various strategic roles within NNPC, including Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment.
12. Jackson G. Obaseki (1999-2003) – An energy technocrat who contributed to the development of the Petroleum Industry Bill.
13. Dalhatu Bayero (1995-1999) – Served during a period of transition in NNPC’s leadership.
14. Chamberlain Oyibo (1993-1995) – Held the position for two years before retirement.
15. Edmund Daukoru (1992-1993) – A geologist with a background in energy policy and OPEC leadership.
16. Thomas John (1990-1992) – Also held various executive roles in the oil and gas sector.
17. Aret Adams (1985-1990) – Introduced a group structure and merit-based management in NNPC.
18. Lawrence Amu (1981-1985) – An engineer with experience in power and petroleum projects.
19. Odoliyi Lolomari (1980-1981) – A petroleum expert and early leader within the NNPC.
20. Remilekun Marinho (1977-1980) – The pioneer GMD who established foundational policies for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Engineer Ojulari’s appointment is expected to usher in a new era of leadership, focusing on revitalizing the NNPCL and addressing challenges within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.