About Bayo Ojulari, the new CEO at Nigeria's national oil company, NNPCL

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major leadership change at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), appointing Bayo Ojulari as the new Chief Executive Officer. This comes following the removal of Mele Kyari from the position. The presidency officially confirmed Ojulari’s appointment earlier today, April 2, 2025.

The announcement, issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, confirmed that Bayo Ojulari’s appointment as CEO of NNPC takes immediate effect. The presidency officially disclosed the appointment earlier on April 2, 2025.

Early Life and Education

Bayo Ojulari hails from the North-Central region of Nigeria. He holds a degree in Mechanic al Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His foundational training in engineering paved the way for a distinguished career in Nigeria’s energy sector, both locally and internationally.

Full Name	Bayo Ojulari
Date of Birth	[To be confirmed]
Place of Birth	North-Central Nigeria
Nationality	Nigeria
Profession	Mechanical Engineer, Energy Executive
Current Position	Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC)
Date Appointed	April 2, 2025
Appointed By	President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Predecessor	Mele Kyari

Career

Ojulari began his career as the first Nigerian process engineer at Elf Aquitaine, before moving to Shell in 1991 as an associate production technologist. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, holding various strategic positions within the global oil and gas industry.

His leadership journey includes senior technical and managerial roles in Europe and the Middle East, culminating in his position as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and General Manager, Deepwater Operations.

Before his appointment as CEO of NNPC, Ojulari served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy. During his tenure, he played a key role in orchestrating the $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s equity in Nigeria, a landmark deal executed by a consortium of indigenous energy firms. The acquisition marked a strategic shift toward enhancing local ownership and capacity in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Bayo Ojulari, the new CEO at Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPCL

On April 2, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Bayo Ojulari as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), replacing Mele Kyari. The appointment, announced by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, took immediate effect.

His appointment is seen as a strategic move in Tinubu’s broader energy reform agenda, particularly in the post-subsidy era and amidst efforts to stabilize the naira.

Vision and Impact

Ojulari brings a wealth of experience in technical integration, project engineering, and petroleum operations. His focus at NNPC includes revamping domestic refining capacity, boosting oil production, and strengthening Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. With a strong background in major energy transactions and project execution, Ojulari is expected to reposition NNPC as a more efficient and revenue-generating institution.

His leadership represents a significant step toward achieving energy independence and elevating Nigeria’s role as a key player in the global energy landscape.