NNPCL Boss Bayo Ojulari Clarifies Resignation Amid Allegations
CONFUSION has surrounded reports that Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), resigned under pressure from security agencies. Some reports suggested that operatives of the EFCC and DSS forced him to sign a resignation letter.
The Presidency has denied these claims, confirming that Ojulari remains the substantive head of NNPCL. Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga stated that the news of abduction and forced resignation was false.
Ojulari, appointed in April 2025 to lead reforms in NNPCL, issued a statement saying his resignation, if any, would be voluntary and properly communicated. He dismissed claims of coercion, explaining that the only pressure he felt was personal and professional, related to public controversy over an official trip to Kigali.
The confusion follows allegations of a $21 million corruption scandal, linked to a detained associate who allegedly held funds on Ojulari’s behalf. Civil society groups have demanded investigations, citing concerns over refinery shutdowns and the management of NNPCL assets.
Meanwhile, reform advocates, including the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI), defended Ojulari’s work, highlighting his efforts to improve transparency, audit contracts, and stabilise fuel supply.
Critics raised concerns about reported lavish spending and workplace challenges, while other groups, such as the Niger Delta Environmental Justice Coalition (NDEJC), criticised the alleged EFCC-DSS intervention as politically motivated but acknowledged Ojulari’s contributions to boosting oil production and revenue remittances.
As of now, Ojulari remains in office, and discussions around his leadership, alleged corruption, and reform efforts continue to draw national attention.
