NNPC sacks 200 workers, other top officials

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has sacked over 200 staff members as part of a sweeping leadership shake-up.

The NNPC also fired the managing directors of the three refineries under the purview of NNPCL.

The refineries include the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

The shakeup began after the removal of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer on April 2, 2025.

This move has led to the exit of several senior officials who were closely associated with the former CEO.

Among those affected are Bala Wunti, who previously headed the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Ibrahim Onoja, the former managing director of the Kaduna Refinery, and Lawal Sade, who served as chief compliance officer and once led NNPC Trading.

Their exits are part of what insiders describe as the early phase of broader changes within the company.

The new management also asked many officials with one year to their various retirement dates to leave.

The leadership overhaul gained momentum following the appointment of Bayo Ojulari as Kyari’s successor.

Since taking over, Ojulari has pushed for internal restructuring aimed at repositioning the company’s operations.

One noticeable change is the increased presence of women in high-ranking roles.

Maryam Idrisu now leads NNPC Trading, which handles crude oil transactions, while Obioma Abangwu has taken the role of chief liaison officer for board matters.

Many within the company are said to view the changes as a fresh start, coming at a time when the NNPC is under pressure to improve performance and rebuild trust.

The recent dismissals suggest that more adjustments may follow in the coming weeks.