President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated the 11-member Board and Management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), nearly two months after their appointment on April 2, 2025.
The brief but symbolic ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s oil and gas sector under the ongoing economic reform agenda.
President Charges Board to Drive Reform and Innovation
In his remarks, President Tinubu charged the new board to consolidate the gains of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, which have drawn praise for enhancing resilience and competitiveness in the national economy.
“When I began the search for this team, it took time to identify individuals with the character, reputation, and experience you all bring to the table,” Tinubu said. “You represent the best our industry has to offer, and I trust you to help reposition our nation’s energy sector. This is a call to duty.”
Emphasizing the global economic volatility and Nigeria’s critical role in global energy markets, the President encouraged the board to seek solutions within, noting that “Nigerians will depend on NNPCL’s repositioning for energy security and economic stability.”
“I am so proud of you, and I believe you will succeed,” he added.
Commendations
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the composition of the board, describing it as the finest team ever assembled in the African energy space.
“I received calls from across Africa and even within OPEC, and the sentiment is clear: if this team cannot transform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, then we may need to import talent from another planet,” he quipped.
Board Chairman Ahmadu Kida expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the board would uphold the highest standards of leadership, courage, and integrity in executing the President’s mandate.
NNPCL Already Taking Strategic Steps
Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, reaffirmed the board’s readiness and commitment. According to him, the team has already held several meetings with key industry stakeholders to review ongoing operations and business strategies.
“We’ve kicked off with bi-weekly stakeholder engagements and are aligning our direction with the mandate set by the President,” he stated.
Ojulari also highlighted initial achievements, including a rise in crude oil production from 1.5 million to 1.7 million barrels per day within two months, with the goal of reaching 1.9 million barrels by the end of the year.
He further assured that the NNPCL is operating strictly as a commercial enterprise and remains committed to transparency, operational efficiency, and attracting foreign direct investments. “We will promise only what we can deliver — and we will deliver on our promises,” Ojulari declared.
A Balanced and Strategic Team
The newly inaugurated board, according to President Bola Tinubu, reflects Nigeria’s commitment to regional representation and sectoral competence. Leading the team is Ahmadu Kida, who assumes the role of Non-Executive Chairman. He is joined by Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL.
Other members of the board include:
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Adedapo Segun and Bello Rabiu – representing the North West,
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Yusuf Usman – North East,
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Babs Omotowa – North Central and former MD of Nigeria LNG,
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Austin Avuru – South-South,
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David Ige – South-West,
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Henry Obih – South-East.
Also inaugurated were Lydia Jafiya, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, representing the Ministry on the board, and Aminu Ahmed, representative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Key government officials at the event included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
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