Meet Nigeria's New Oil Boss: Bashir Bayo Ojulari Takes Helm At NNPCL

Scope 01 Apr 2025

Big Changes at NNPCL: New CEO Appointed

Alright, here's the scoop. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has just given the green light for a major shake-up at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Meet the man stepping into the spotlight: Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari. He's taking over as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), replacing Mallam Mele Kyari. This announcement came out on Wednesday, and it's part of a complete overhaul of the NNPCL board. Out with the old, in with the new, right? Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and the rest of the board members, who were appointed back in November 2023, are now out of the picture.

So, let’s talk about what the new lineup looks like. First up, Ahmadu Musa Kida steps in as the Non-Executive Chairman, and Bayo Ojulari is now at the helm as the Group CEO. But wait, there’s more. Adedapo Segun, who took over as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) last year, replacing Umaru Isa Ajiya, is still in the game and remains a key player on the new board.

Meet the New Team: A Diverse Board

The revamped 11-member board is a mix of experienced professionals and representatives from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Let me break it down for you:

Read also:
Celebritythemed Slots A Fun Journey Through Pop Culture

North West: Bello Rabiu, bringing his expertise to the table.
North East: Yusuf Usman, ready to contribute his insights.
North Central: Babs Omotowa, the former Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, lending his seasoned leadership.
South South: Austin Avuru, a familiar face in the oil and gas scene.
South West: David Ige, adding his regional perspective.
South East: Henry Obih, rounding out the team with his regional knowledge.

And that’s not all. Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will be there representing the Ministry of Finance. Meanwhile, Aminu Said Ahmed will be the voice of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. All these appointments officially kick in starting April 2, 2025.

Who Exactly is Bashir Bayo Ojulari?

Now, let’s dive into who this new guy is. Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, hailing from Kwara State, is no stranger to the oil and gas world. This guy has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s bringing that wealth of experience to his new role. Before this big move, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. And here’s the kicker—under his watch, Renaissance pulled off a massive $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) through a consortium of indigenous energy firms. That’s no small feat.

Ojulari’s journey started at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. From there, his career took off. He began with Elf Aquitaine, where he made history as the first Nigerian process engineer. Then, in 1991, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, climbing the ranks and gaining invaluable experience along the way.

But his expertise isn’t just limited to Nigeria. His career has taken him far and wide, with stints in Europe and the Middle East. He’s held various technical and leadership roles, including strategic planner, asset manager, field developer, and production engineer. These experiences have shaped him into the leader he is today.

In 2015, he was named Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). Talk about stepping into some big shoes. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also been active in professional circles, serving as Chairman and Board Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council). Oh, and did I mention he’s a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers? This guy’s got the credentials to match his experience.

So there you have it. A new chapter begins for the NNPCL with Bashir Bayo Ojulari at the helm. Let’s see what he brings to the table and how he’ll steer the company into the future.