Tinubu Assembles Top Industry Experts with Stellar Reputations for NNPCL Board

By Achimi Muktar

President Bola Tinubu has handpicked what he calls “the best in the industry” to serve on the new board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), tasking them with driving forward critical economic reforms and transforming Nigeria’s oil sector.

At the official inauguration of the board at the State House, Tinubu emphasized the high standards and exceptional reputations of the appointed members. “When I started searching, it took a while to come up with the kind of character that you represent,” the president said. “You have the reputation, resourcefulness and experience to help the country. It is a call to duty for you. I believe you are among the best the industry can offer.”

The president expressed confidence that his carefully selected team will build on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, which have earned praise both locally and internationally for strengthening the country’s economic resilience and competitiveness.

“Nigeria has come of age. It is now more competitive and turning the corner, and with your highly respected team, I can relax and attend to other issues,” Tinubu remarked. He urged the board to seek innovative and homegrown solutions to global economic volatility. “Explore all options for a win-win situation for Nigeria. I am so proud of you and believe you will succeed.”

Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, lauded the president’s choices as the best the continent can offer, highlighting the high expectations from Nigeria’s peers in OPEC and beyond. “I got calls from the whole of Africa... saying that if this team does not deliver, Nigeria will have to import men from another planet to come and deliver the oil and gas sector,” he joked.

Chairman of the board, Ahmadu Kida, pledged to uphold leadership grounded in integrity and courage. “We will deliver on the president’s mandate with the highest standards.”

NNPCL Managing Director Bashir Ojulari revealed that the new team has wasted no time, holding multiple meetings with stakeholders to set strategic directions. He announced an increase in oil production from 1.5 million barrels to 1.7 million barrels over the past two months, with a goal to hit 1.9 million barrels by year-end.

Ojulari promised transparency and accountability: “We will promise what we can deliver, and we will deliver on our promise.” He also credited the president’s economic reforms for sending the right signals to attract foreign direct investments, vital for the sector’s growth.

With a board backed by strong government support and a clear mandate, Nigeria’s oil industry may be on the brink of a transformative era.