Bayo Ojulari has officially assumed office as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), taking over from Mele Kyari in a brief handover ceremony held on Friday at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.
The transition was confirmed in a statement by Olufemi O. Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd. During the ceremony, Ojulari commended Kyari for his exceptional leadership and transformative contributions to the company and the Nigerian energy sector.
Ojulari pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, stating that the new management team would focus on consolidating achievements and elevating NNPC Ltd to global competitiveness. “The targets ahead are ambitious, but with the cooperation of management, staff, and the continued counsel of my predecessor, we will achieve them,” he said.
His appointment comes at a crucial time as NNPC Ltd seeks to strengthen operational efficiency, improve transparency, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global energy market under the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Industry watchers are optimistic that Ojulari’s leadership will usher in a new era of innovation, accountability, and strategic partnerships in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“I will be counting on your support. I will need it. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” Ojulari told Kyari.
Earlier in his remarks, Kyari congratulated Ojulari and thanked the Management and staff of the company for their support while in office.
He pledged to do everything within his power to support the new Management to succeed, stressing that he was only a call away.