The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has firmly stated that there are no plans to remove its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, despite recent rumors.
Olufemi Soneye, the spokesperson for NNPCL, addressed these speculations in a conversation with our correspondent on Friday, following a major shakeup within the company earlier in the week.
An international newspaper had reported that Kyari could be forced out of his role before the end of the year, suggesting that further leadership changes within NNPCL were imminent. The report cited sources claiming that Kyari had been “in the danger zone for some time” and was allegedly prepared to step down in the coming weeks.
However, Soneye dismissed these claims, calling them “baseless speculation” and questioning the newspaper’s credibility. “One might wonder if they were the ones who hired Mele Kyari, given their apparent insight into his career plans. Such baseless speculation is not only laughable but also a testament to the lengths some will go to craft immature narratives,” he said.
The NNPCL spokesperson went on to highlight Kyari’s significant contributions to the company and Nigeria’s energy sector. He pointed to the company’s remarkable shift from losses to profit under Kyari’s leadership, emphasizing the recent achievement of a production milestone of 1.8 million barrels per day.
“Let’s set the record straight: GCEO Mele Kyari is performing exceptionally, steering Nigeria’s energy sector toward unprecedented success. Under his leadership, NNPCL has transitioned from years of losses to declaring profits—a historic achievement,” Soneye remarked. “Just yesterday, we reached a production milestone of 1.8 million barrels per day, a testament to his unwavering commitment.”
Soneye further underscored Kyari’s dedication to realizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s energy sector, emphasizing that the GCEO remains focused on ensuring energy security and advancing the country’s progress.
“To address the rumor: it’s as credible as a mirage in the desert,” he concluded.
This comes after the NNPCL announced several leadership changes on Wednesday, including the appointment of Isiyaku Abdullahi as Executive Vice President, Downstream; Udobong Ntia as Executive Vice President, Upstream; and Adedapo Segun as Chief Financial Officer.
