ABUJA – The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has alleged that his life and those of the company’s management staff are under serious threat following the reforms he initiated to reposition Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Ojulari made the revelation on Thursday while hosting a delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the NNPCL headquarters in Abuja.
The NNPCL boss explained that his major “offence” is implementing reforms directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s moribund refineries and ensure energy stability. He alleged that some powerful interest groups, displeased with the changes, are plotting to unseat him.
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Despite the threats, Ojulari reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity. He disclosed that management is exploring the NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) model as a sustainable approach to revive and operate the nation’s dormant refineries at full capacity.
Responding to PENGASSAN’s call for stability within the company and the sector at large, Ojulari stressed that he is focused on ensuring the success of the reforms.
“I’m not hiding from anybody. I’m not a politician. I will have to learn more about politics, but this is a development plan for me, and I’m ready to learn,” he stated.
Ojulari’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s oil sector faces mounting pressure to reduce fuel importation and restore local refining, a move many analysts say is crucial for economic recovery.