NNPC sacks refinery MDs amid broader shake-up

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed the managing directors of its three major refineries — Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna — as part of a sweeping shake-up initiated by the new leadership of the national oil firm.

Also affected by the shake-up is Bala Wunti, former head of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of NNPCL.

Several other senior officials, including those nearing retirement, were asked to exit the company.

While NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye did not respond to media enquiries, multiple sources within the organization confirmed the development.

This latest restructuring follows the removal of Mele Kyari as Group CEO on April 2, 2025, alongside other board members, in what was described by the presidency as a move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas output.

According to insiders, the overhaul stems from dissatisfaction with the performance of previous executives, particularly regarding crude production and refinery rehabilitation.

One official noted that the former leadership had become “part of the problem” and that new, technically sound professionals were needed to bring fresh energy into the company.

President Bola Tinubu reportedly handed the new management a clear mandate, including boosting oil output to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million by 2030, while targeting 10 billion cubic meters of gas production by the same year.

As part of the restructuring, Tinubu appointed a new 11-man board for NNPCL, naming Bayo Ojulari as Group CEO and Musa Ahmadu-Kida as the non-executive chairman. Ojulari, a former executive at Renaissance Africa Energy, is known for leading a major $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets.

Confirming the removal of the refinery heads, a senior NNPCL source said, “The MDs of Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries have been relieved of their duties.” Other senior managers with less than a year to retirement were also affected.

The leadership changes come amid mounting criticism over the poor state of Nigeria’s refineries. Just this week, reports revealed that the $897 million rehabilitation of the Warri refinery had failed, with operations halted since January 25 due to equipment faults. Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt refinery, which restarted in late 2024, has been operating at less than 40% capacity.

Industry experts have expressed concerns over transparency and efficiency at NNPCL, questioning the company’s ability to revive domestic refining operations. According to regulatory documents, despite substantial investments, the refineries continue to struggle, with some barely functional.

A new appointment was also confirmed as Maryam Idrisu takes over as Managing Director of NNPC Trading, the subsidiary in charge of crude oil sales.

The restructuring is expected to continue as the Tinubu administration pushes for performance-driven reforms across the oil sector.