The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has officially entered a new phase of leadership as Mr. Bayo Ojulari took over as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) from Mr. Mele Kyari.
The handover ceremony, held on Friday at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, marked a smooth transition at the helm of Nigeria’s foremost oil company. Ojulari, in his address, lauded Kyari’s impactful tenure and reaffirmed his commitment to consolidating on the achievements recorded under the outgoing GCEO.
He noted that while the responsibilities ahead are substantial, he would rely on the support of the Management and staff of the company, as well as seek guidance from Kyari when necessary.
“The targets before us are enormous, but with your support, I am confident we can achieve them. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” Ojulari told Kyari.
In his remarks, Mele Kyari congratulated the new GCEO and expressed appreciation to the staff and Management for their cooperation during his time in office. He pledged to remain available to support the new leadership team.
“I’m only a call away,” Kyari said, assuring his successor of his continued assistance.
Before his appointment as GCEO of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari was widely respected for his tenure as the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), where he led several deepwater exploration projects. A seasoned engineer and energy executive with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, Ojulari is known for his strategic insights, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence.
Mele Kyari served as GCEO of NNPC Ltd from 2019 and was instrumental in the transformation of the company from a corporation into a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). His tenure was marked by transparency reforms, increased oil production efficiency, and repositioning of NNPC Ltd as a profit-driven enterprise. He also championed initiatives aimed at ensuring energy security and promoting investment in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The change in leadership comes as NNPC Ltd continues to pursue reforms and strategic initiatives aimed at transforming it into a commercially driven energy company of global standards.
