President Tinubu Shakes Up NNPC Leadership Amid Performance Concerns

Why President Tinubu Decided to Replace NNPC Leadership

Listen up, folks. Let me break it down for you. According to insiders from the Presidency, President Bola Tinubu's decision to remove Mele Kyari and other key members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board wasn't just a random move. It was driven by deep concerns about the organization's performance and its inability to hit critical production targets.

Naija News has learned that President Tinubu made a bold, unexpected move on Wednesday. He announced sweeping changes within the NNPC, which included firing Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO). Now, before you jump to conclusions, this wasn't some impulsive decision. It was part of a larger plan by the government to boost the efficiency of the oil giant and rebuild investor confidence.

The changes take effect on April 2, 2025, and Bashir Ojulari has been appointed as the new Group CEO on the same date. This shake-up is more than just a change in leadership—it’s a call for a fresh start.

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Why the Leadership Change Was Necessary

Here's the deal: Multiple Presidency insiders have told Punch that the reshuffle was performance-driven. They believe the previous leadership was stuck in a rut, and some of them had even become part of the problem instead of the solution. One source explained, "The President made this move because we needed a different approach. The old guard was running in circles, and some of them were contributing to the challenges rather than solving them."

They continued, "We need a new direction, and that means bringing in fresh faces with fresh ideas. When you look at the new team, every single one of them is highly capable. These are seasoned industry professionals who know the oil and gas sector inside and out. They're not politicians. This is the first time we've had a team made up entirely of experts. It's a game-changer."

Age Isn't the Issue—It's About Performance

Another Presidency official clarified that this wasn't about Kyari's age. It was all about performance metrics and the need for new energy to drive production growth. The official said, "It's not about Kyari's age. The NNPC is a limited liability company, so it's not governed by civil service rules. It's about bringing in new minds that can deliver results in new directions. The President has laid out his expectations clearly, and he's given them specific performance targets."

Here's what the President wants: By 2030, the NNPC must produce 3 million barrels of oil per day. Between now and 2027, production needs to stabilize at 2 million barrels per day. On the gas front, they need to produce 10 billion cubic meters by 2030. These are ambitious but achievable goals, and the President believes the new team can deliver.

The official added, "The previous system wasn't cutting it. They'd been stuck in the same spot for years. Our OPEC quota hasn't seen much improvement since 1973, and we haven't been meeting those targets. That's why reforms are essential. We need to optimize our resources and assets to ensure we're producing at maximum capacity."

So, there you have it. This isn't just a leadership change—it's a signal that the President is serious about transforming the NNPC into a powerhouse that can compete on the global stage. Only time will tell if the new team can deliver on these ambitious goals, but one thing's for sure: the stakes are high, and the pressure is on.

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