Explosive Protest Rocks: NLC Demands Immediate Reversal Of Aminu Ahmed’s NNPC Board Appointment

Explosive Protest Rocks: NLC Demands Immediate Reversal Of Aminu Ahmed’s NNPC Board Appointment

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) chapter within the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) has strongly rejected the appointment of Aminu Said Ahmed to the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).…….READ MORE 

According to Ireporter reports, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently appointed Ahmed, a senior manager at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), as MPR’s representative on the NNPC board.

However, the NLC insists that the appointment violates Section 59(2)(d) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which requires that MPR’s representative on the NNPC board must be a director within the ministry. The union further argued that Ahmed is not only below this rank but is not even a staff member of the ministry.

In a widely shared protest video, union members called for an immediate reversal of the appointment, stressing that it sets a dangerous precedent.

Legal Backing and Expert Opinions

Energy expert Abolade Adewale, speaking for a group of concerned professionals, backed the NLC’s stance, saying Ahmed’s position at NMDPRA disqualifies him from representing MPR. He emphasized that NMDPRA operates independently and does not fall under the MPR’s jurisdiction.

Adewale also compared this situation to the Federal Ministry of Finance, which is represented on the NNPC board by its Permanent Secretary, in accordance with the law.

Concerns Over Representation in OPEC

The union further criticized the pattern of assigning non-MPR officials to key international petroleum bodies like OPEC, alleging that nepotism and favoritism have eroded institutional memory and credibility.

They urged the President to ensure that all future appointments for international engagements strictly come from serving MPR staff and be officially approved by the Minister.

A Call to President Tinubu

The NLC chapter has called on President Tinubu to uphold the law and rescind the appointment of Aminu Said Ahmed. They insist that a high-ranking official, preferably the Permanent Secretary of MPR, be appointed to maintain fairness and comply with the PIA.

They concluded with confidence that the President will act responsibly:

“President Tinubu has always listened to reason and we believe he will uphold the integrity of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.”