Mele Kyari’s reign at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was never dull. Whether it was the crude oil intrigues or the political balancing acts, the man’s tenure was marked with bold decisions and controversies. But like all power plays, the curtain has now fallen. President Bola Tinubu, once his steadfast backer, has finally shown him the door.

For six years, Kyari wielded influence in an industry where fortunes rise and fall with a whisper. Appointed in 2019 under Muhammadu Buhari, Kyari manoeuvered through Nigeria’s complex oil terrain, securing billion-dollar deals while fending off accusations of inefficiency. Even when age limits loomed and critics sharpened their knives, Tinubu kept him in place. Until now.

The president’s reshuffle was swift and decisive, removing not just Kyari but the entire NNPC board appointed in November 2023. The official line? A drive for operational efficiency, investor confidence, and economic growth. The reality, if observers are to be believed, is a mix of political recalibration, industry pressure, and the need for a fresh start in Nigeria’s most strategic sector.

Enter Bashir Ojulari, the man tasked with steering NNPC’s next chapter. A seasoned oil executive with global experience, he takes over at a time when the company faces ambitious production targets—two million barrels per day by 2027, three million by 2030. Lofty goals, but with crude oil, promises are easier made than kept.

Kyari leaves behind a legacy as complex as the pipelines he once oversaw. His tenure saw refinery rehabilitation efforts and increased investment flows, yet fuel scarcity and subsidy debates remained constant headaches. In an industry known for its opaque dealings, he projected transparency while managing the undercurrents of political survival.

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