The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, resumed at his office on Monday, quelling widespread rumours suggesting he had resigned from his position.
Ojulari, who was appointed on April 2, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu as part of a major restructuring of the national oil firm’s leadership, arrived at the NNPC Towers around 9:35 a.m. and immediately resumed official engagements, according to sources within the organization.
A security official familiar with the development, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, confirmed Ojulari’s presence at the headquarters. “At about 0935 hours, Bayo Ojulari, GCEO of NNPCL, reported to the office. He is currently engaged with his routine official duties,” the source said.
In an internal memo circulated among staff on Monday, the company dismissed the resignation rumours, urging employees to disregard reports circulating on social media platforms. However, the memo did not disclose the reason for Ojulari’s brief public absence or the source of the false reports.
The resignation speculation gained momentum over the weekend, with several unconfirmed online reports claiming Ojulari had stepped down. His silence, coupled with the current leadership vacuum in NNPCL’s Corporate Communications Department, further fueled the uncertainty.
The company’s ability to respond promptly to the media has been significantly hampered since the resignation of Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, on June 21, 2025. As of press time, no replacement has been officially announced, leaving the department without a spokesperson.
A senior NNPCL official, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak, reiterated that Ojulari had not resigned. “Ojulari remains in office. The resignation claims are false. Unfortunately, the leadership gap in our communications unit has made it hard to manage public perception. It’s a distraction the company didn’t need right now,” the official said.
Access to the NNPC Towers has also grown increasingly restricted, further complicating journalistic coverage. Entry is now limited to visitors with pre-approved security clearance and official invitation letters — a policy that has significantly curtailed media access.
Attempts to contact Mr. Ojulari for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him on Sunday went unanswered.
Despite the turbulence, insiders say the company hopes to move past the confusion and restore focus to its core operations.
Comments