Meet NNPC Limited new helmsman, Bayo Bashir Ojulari

With the appointment of Bayo Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, many are asking, what makes him the right man for the job?

Bayo Bashir Ojulari is a renowned Nigerian engineer and expert in petroleum, process, and production engineering. He has had an illustrious career spanning over three decades, holding various leadership positions. These include being the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company from 2015 to 2021.

He has worked in Europe and the Middle East, showcasing his global expertise in petroleum engineering and other related fields. After retiring from Shell in July 2021, Ojulari became Chairman of BAT Advisory & Energy Company.

He also served as Chairman of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

He was appointed Managing Director of SNEPCo and General Manager, Deepwater in November 2015.

Ojulari’s appointment is expected to usher in a new era of growth and development for the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry, which has been grappling with challenges such as inefficient management, corruption, and lack of transparency.

As the head of NNPCL, Ojulari will be responsible for steering the company towards a more commercial and profitable direction.

One of the key implications of Ojulari’s appointment is the potential for increased efficiency and productivity in the industry. With his expertise in process and production engineering, Ojulari is expected to identify areas of inefficiency and implement reforms to improve the overall performance of NNPCL.

Another significant aspect of Ojulari’s appointment is the potential for improved transparency and accountability in the industry. Ojulari is expected to bring a new level of transparency and accountability to NNPCL’s operations.

However, Ojulari’s appointment also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the key concerns is the potential for government influence and interference in NNPCL’s operations. Despite the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which aimed to reduce government control over NNPCL, there are still concerns that the government may exert undue influence over the company’s decisions.

Overall, Bayo Ojulari’s appointment as the new Group CEO of NNPCL is a significant development for the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry. While there are challenges ahead, Ojulari’s expertise and experience perhaps make him well-placed to drive growth and development in the industry.

(Editor: Terverr Tyav)