Things To Know About The New NNPC GCEO, Bayo Ojulari

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the entire board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, including Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari and board chairman Pius Akinyelure.

In a major shake-up of the state-owned oil firm, Tinubu appointed energy expert Bayo Bashir Ojulari as the new GCEO, entrusting him with the task of repositioning NNPC for efficiency and growth.

Ojulari, a seasoned professional in the oil and gas industry, brings over three decades of experience to his new role. According to his LinkedIn profile, he spent 24 years at global oil giant Shell, rising to the position of Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) in 2015, a role he held until 2021.

Ojulari’s Career Journey

Ojulari, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, began his career at Elf Petroleum Nigeria in 1989 before joining Shell in 1991 as an Associate Production Technologist.

Over the years, he held several key positions across different regions, including:

Head of Planning, Economics, and Budgeting at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria (1997-1999)

Asset Leader and Head Production Technologist at Shell Oman (1999-2003)

Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Planner at Shell headquarters in the Netherlands (2003-2004)

Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at SPDC Nigeria (2005-2008)

Development Director at SPDC Nigeria (2010-2015)

Managing Director, SNEPCo (2015-2021)

After leaving Shell in 2021, Ojulari founded BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd, offering consultancy services in the oil and gas sector. In 2024, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, where he played a key role in the acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets in Nigeria.

Challenges Ahead at NNPC

Ojulari steps into his new role at a critical time for NNPC, which has long been plagued by allegations of corruption and inefficiency. His appointment also comes as Shell finalizes its divestment from some Nigerian operations, particularly onshore assets in the Niger Delta.

President Tinubu has tasked the new board with conducting a strategic portfolio review of NNPC’s operated and joint venture assets to ensure they align with value maximization goals.

With a track record in corporate strategy, asset development, and production management, Ojulari is expected to bring fresh reforms to the nation’s oil giant. His leadership will be pivotal in steering NNPC towards transparency, profitability, and increased investments in the sector.
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