President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following the removal of Mele Kyari from the position. The announcement was made in an official statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Ojulari, a seasoned energy expert, takes over leadership at a crucial time as Nigeria’s oil and gas sector undergoes significant changes. His appointment aligns with Tinubu’s broader restructuring of the NNPC board, aimed at strengthening the corporation’s operations.
Who is Bayo Ojulari?
Bayo Ojulari is a mechanical engineer and oil industry veteran with over three decades of experience. He hails from Kwara State and is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Before assuming his new role, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Africa Energy Company, where he played a key role in the $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) by a consortium of indigenous firms.
Career Journey and Achievements
Ojulari’s career began with Elf Aquitaine, where he made history as the company’s first Nigerian process engineer. In 1991, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd. as an associate production technologist and steadily climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).
His expertise spans petroleum engineering, field development, asset management, and strategic planning, with experience in both Europe and the Middle East. Ojulari also led the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) team for the Bonga Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.
Leadership and Professional Contributions
Beyond his corporate roles, Ojulari has played a significant part in the engineering and energy sectors in Nigeria. He has served as Chairman and Board Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
NNPC Under New Leadership
Ojulari’s appointment marks a new chapter for NNPCL, which transitioned into a limited company under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. With growing expectations for increased efficiency and global competitiveness, industry watchers will closely monitor how Ojulari steers the company in the coming years.
