Tinubu Fires NNPCL Boss Mele Kyari in Sudden Shake-Up, Appoints Bayo Ojulari Amid Controversy

In a shocking midnight move, President Bola Tinubu has sacked Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), replacing him with Bayo Ojulari. The sweeping shake-up also saw the restructuring of the company’s board, raising questions about the motives behind the sudden changes.

NNPCL’s management and staff, in a carefully worded statement issued by company spokesman Olufemi Soneye, expressed gratitude to Kyari and the outgoing board members for their “selfless and dedicated service.” However, industry watchers suggest that Kyari’s removal may be linked to undisclosed political or economic factors rather than routine leadership transition.

“Mr. Kyari’s leadership and tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on NNPC Ltd., and we are sincerely grateful for his outstanding contributions,” the statement read, but stopped short of explaining why he was abruptly ousted.

With Ojulari’s appointment taking immediate effect, speculation is mounting over whether the change signals a major shift in NNPCL’s direction, or if deeper political maneuvering is at play. As the dust settles, all eyes are on Tinubu’s administration to clarify the true reason behind the shake-up and what it means for Nigeria’s oil sector.