National
NNPC Leadership Timeline Since 1977
By Gideon Ayeni
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO).
The announcement, made on April 2, 2025, also saw Ahmadu Musa Kida replacing Chief Pius Akinyelure as the new Non-Executive Chairman.
NNPC Limited, Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, was originally a corporation before being transformed into a limited liability company in July 2022. Despite remaining fully government-owned, the restructuring was aimed at enhancing its commercial operations. The company plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s petroleum industry, overseeing infrastructure and investments across the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.
By law, NNPC manages the joint venture between the Nigerian government and major multinational oil corporations, including Royal Dutch Shell, Agip, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Chevron, and Texaco (now merged with Chevron). Through these collaborations, the company facilitates petroleum exploration and production in Nigeria.
Following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act in August 2021, NNPC now operates as a commercial entity, free from direct government funding and control. The restructuring was intended to improve efficiency and enable the company to access international capital markets more easily.
NNPC Leadership Over the Years
With the appointment of Bayo Ojulari, here is a full list of NNPC’s past Group Managing Directors (now GCEOs) since its establishment in 1977:
1977-1980: Remilekun A. Marinho
1980-1981: Odoliyi Lolomari
1981-1985: Lawrence Amu
1985-1990: Aret Adams
1990-1992: Thomas John
1992-1993: Edmund Daukoru
1993-1995: Chamberlin Oyibo
1995-1999: Dalhatu Bayero
1999-2003: Jackson G. Obaseki
2003-2007: Funsho Kupolokun
2007-2009: Abubakar Yar’Adua
2009-2010: Muhammed Barkindo
2010: Shehu Ladan
2010-2012: Augustine O. Oniwon
2012-2014: Andrew Yakubu
2014-2015: Joseph Thlama Dawha
2015-2016: Ibe Kachikwu
2016-2019: Maikanti Baru
2019-2025: Mele Kyari
2025-Present: Bayo Bashir Ojulari
Ojulari’s appointment comes amid expectations for significant reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector, with stakeholders anticipating improved efficiency and transparency in the NNPC’s operations.
(With additional information from Nation Newspapers)
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