NNPCL GCEO Ojulari alleges threats amidst sweeping reforms
The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has publicly stated that he and the company’s management staff are facing serious threats due to the reforms he has introduced in the oil and gas sector.
These reforms, he said, are in line with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu to revitalize the country’s moribund refineries.
Ojulari raised this alarm during a meeting with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), led by its president, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the NNPCL headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Ojulari’s tenure, which began in April 2025, has been marked by efforts to increase crude oil production, revitalize key infrastructure, and initiate empowerment programs for host communities.
However, these reforms have seemingly unsettled powerful elements within the industry who previously benefited from what are described as “nepotistic contract awards.”
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The Coalition of Niger Delta People for Development (CONFODEV) has publicly supported Ojulari and President Tinubu, condemning the accusations against Ojulari as “baseless, politically motivated, and a calculated smear campaign” orchestrated by individuals threatened by the ongoing reforms.
CONFODEV, comprising several influential groups, alleged that these attacks are from entrenched interests seeking to destabilize the region and undermine the progress made.
Similarly, the Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI) has also voiced support for Ojulari, stating that the harassment and baseless rumors are an attempt to sabotage his reform efforts and destabilize the nation.
The CCDI believes those spreading falsehoods have long profited from systemic corruption in the oil and gas sector and are deeply unsettled by Ojulari’s commitment to sanitizing the NNPCL.
Despite the support, Ojulari has faced significant opposition.
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On Wednesday, Niger Delta youth leaders protested at the NNPCL Towers in Abuja, demanding Ojulari’s resignation. The protesters accused him of corruption and mismanagement, calling for the appointment of a Niger Delta indigene as the new NNPCL GCEO.
This protest caused traffic disruptions and forced NNPCL workers to park their cars far from the gates.
Analysts, such as Jonathan Eze, have urged the Nigerian presidency to protect Ojulari from these attacks, emphasizing that his reforms have saved billions of naira and improved governance.
The rising protests have raised concerns that they could distract Ojulari from fulfilling his mandate. Ojulari himself has acknowledged the threats but said he remains determined to ensure the refineries operate effectively, stating his commitment to learning and adapting to the political landscape.
