Sunday Okobi

An organisation known as Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) Nigeria yesterday stated that the leadership of Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Limited, has brought a wave of transformation and investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The group disclosed that since taking over the helm of affairs of the company in April 2025, Ojulari has overseen sweeping reforms aimed at restoring transparency, boosting oil production, and repositioning the national oil company for global competitiveness.

The Programme Director of the group, Dr. Anthony Izuka, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, described Ojulari as a seasoned engineer with over 34 years of experience, “who has brought deep technical and strategic acumen to his role.

His tenure marks a decisive shift in the management of Nigeria’s most vital economic resource. His reforms have delivered measurable results.”

The statement added that: “Within his first 100 days, Ojulari launched initiatives targeting some of the sector’s most persistent challenges. He improved collaboration with upstream partners and enhanced security measures along pipelines, which played a key role in raising daily crude oil output from 1.2 million barrels to 1.8 million barrels by August 2025.

“He brought transparency to the fore. For the first time in three years, NNPC resumed publishing its monthly financial and operational reports. These efforts have coincided with early successes in reviving domestic refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt, which have contributed to a more stable fuel supply and eased pressure at the pumps.”

zuka quoted Ojulari’s comments during a recent stakeholders’ briefing as saying: “We are committed to instilling a culture of accountability and commercial discipline. “The reforms we’re implementing are already producing real results.”

 While hinting at the investment drive that has gained momentum, the group programme director  said the key objective of the new leadership is to make Nigeria’s energy sector more attractive to international capital.

“NNPC has set targets of securing $30 billion in new investment by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030. Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) are expected later this year for major projects, including: Ntokon Offshore Development (OML 102), and OML 29 Production Expansion Gas Projects in OMLs 30/42 Brass Methanol and Fertilizer Project

“These investments are expected to create jobs, increase revenue, and help lift oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027—and 3 million by 2030. Gas output is also set to climb to 8–10 billion cubic feet per day, supporting industrial growth and domestic power supply.”

On internal reforms, the statement added that Ojulari’s bold reform agenda, “which includes full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), has, sadly, encountered pushback from entrenched interests. Efforts to restructure legacy contracts and tighten financial oversight have prompted misinformation campaigns, including recent false claims of his resignation.

“However, the presidency swiftly debunked such reports, and industry groups like HOSTCOM have voiced strong support for Ojulari, noting that ‘corruption is fighting back against efforts to instill transparency.”

It noted that despite the resistance, Ojulari has displayed a stoic stance, as he remains undeterred, “because real transformation is never easy, but we are determined to build a stronger, more accountable NNPC-one that operates in the national interest.”

The statement noted that Ojulari is supported by a restructured executive team with deep expertise, adding that: “Adedapo Segun, the Chief Financial Officer of NNPCL, has introduced global best practices in fiscal management and laid the groundwork for a potential public listing of NNPC; Isiyaku Abdullahi, EVP (Downstream), has turned around key subsidiaries and driven financial transparency, and Udobong Ntia, EVP (Upstream), brings decades of international project management experience with ExxonMobil.

“The board now includes respected figures such as Babs Omotowa and Austin Avuru, helping ensure strong corporate governance.

“Together, the team is modernising NNPC—cutting bureaucratic delays, raising operational standards, and pivoting toward future-focused investments, including natural gas and cleaner energy solutions.”

The group further described the appointment of Ojulari by President Bola Tinubu as a masterstroke, adding that “this is the mark of a leader with a keen eye for track record, competence, and performance in recruiting persons capable of driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government. This is a bold statement that it is no longer business as usual in NNPC.

RHA  said: “Appointing a tested and proven oil expert from outside the NNPC must surely come with massive pushback from entrenched interests who have feasted on the NNPC behemoth for years. It is not an easy call to upturn fiefdoms that have thrived for years in that corporation.

“And as expected, they are fighting back in so many ways, especially by planting false and malicious materials in the public space aimed at impugning the reputation of Ojulari with the hope of instigating an early leadership change.

“However, as Ojulari concluded in a recent address: ‘We are not just managing a company—we are building a legacy. The reforms we implement today will shape the future of Nigeria’s energy security and economic resilience.”

The post Ojulari-led NNPCL Boosting Reforms in Oil, Gas Industry, Says Group appeared first on THISDAYLIVE.

​