The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has relieved the managing directors of its key refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna of their duties, as part of a larger organizational shake-up initiated by its new executive leadership.
The move also affected several high-ranking officials within the company, including Bala Wunti, former chief executive of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a key NNPCL subsidiary. Others nearing their retirement dates were also reportedly asked to step down.
Despite silence from the company’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, reliable sources inside the company confirmed the development, which follows the recent leadership changes at the top level of the national oil corporation.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier, on April 2, 2025, dismissed former NNPCL Group CEO Mele Kyari and several board members as part of a broader strategy to overhaul the oil sector and raise national production levels. Kyari had led the company since 2019.
Presidency insiders disclosed that the leadership revamp was driven by underwhelming performance and the need to meet key production benchmarks. One source said the previous leadership structure had stalled progress, adding, “New minds with industry expertise are needed to drive efficiency and innovation.”
The president’s newly appointed team has been given clear targets: stabilise crude oil output at 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and push it to 3 million by 2030. In the gas sector, the goal is to reach 10 billion cubic meters annually by the end of the decade.
As part of the new structure, Bayo Ojulari was named the new NNPCL Group CEO, while Musa Ahmadu-Kida was appointed as non-executive chairman. Ojulari previously held a top role at Renaissance Africa Energy, which recently led a major $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets in Nigeria.
A source within NNPCL confirmed, “The managing directors of the three major refineries — Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna — have been asked to step down. A few other senior personnel close to retirement were also affected.”
Maryam Idrisu has now been appointed to head NNPC Trading, the subsidiary responsible for crude oil marketing.
These leadership changes come amid rising criticism of NNPCL’s refinery operations. Reports earlier this week revealed that the Warri Refinery, which received $897 million for rehabilitation, was shut down in January due to technical issues, failing to deliver on expectations. Similarly, the Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed in late 2024, is said to be running at under 40% of its capacity.
Documents from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority highlighted the challenges plaguing refinery operations, despite huge investments. Industry observers have raised concerns about the transparency and performance of the refineries under NNPCL’s management.
The latest shake-up is seen as part of a wider reform effort aimed at improving the efficiency, productivity, and credibility of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
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