By Emmanuel Kwada
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has terminated the appointments of several high-ranking officials, including Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Services (NUIMS), just 27 days after the ousting of former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari.
The sweeping purge, affecting over 200 employees, signals a bold restructuring effort under new leadership as the state-owned oil giant seeks to redefine its course.
The sackings, confirmed by multiple sources, mark a significant shake-up following Kyari’s removal by President Bola Tinubu earlier this month. Among the prominent figures axed are Ibrahim Onoja, Managing Director of the Kaduna Refinery, and Lawal Sade, Chief Compliance Officer and former Managing Director of NNPC Trading.
Bala Wunti’s departure stands out, given his influential role at NUIMS, the arm responsible for managing Nigeria’s upstream investments, including Joint Ventures (JV), Production Sharing Contracts (PSC), and the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NipeX) platform.
Insiders suggest the firings may be tied to the officials’ close ties with Kyari, who led the NNPC from 2019 until his exit on April 2, 2025.
“Wunti, for instance, was a key ally of Kyari during his tenure,” a source told THISDAY, hinting at a possible purge of the former GCEO’s inner circle.
Some of those let go had less than 18 months to retirement and were offered early exits with lump sums, while others were promoted to fill the gaps
However, an NNPC insider downplayed the upheaval, calling it “routine.” The source noted, “Some of those let go had less than 18 months to retirement and were offered early exits with lump sums, while others were promoted to fill the gaps.”
The restructuring has not spared lower- and middle-tier staff, with over 200 employees reportedly impacted. This mass exodus follows a precedent set in September 2023, when NNPC shed staff nearing retirement as part of a stated commitment to “targeted talent management and equal opportunity.”
Over 200 employees reportedly impacted
At the time, the company emphasized that only those with less than 15 months to retirement were affected—a policy echoed in the current overhaul.
Amid the shake-up, new appointments signal a shift in leadership dynamics. Maryam Idrisu has stepped into the role of Managing Director of NNPC Trading, overseeing all crude oil transactions, while Obioma Abangwu takes on the position of Chief Liaison Officer for board matters. These moves suggest an intent to refresh the company’s upper echelons with fresh faces.
The timing of the purge aligns with President Tinubu’s broader overhaul of NNPC’s governance. Earlier this month, he replaced Kyari with Bayo Ojulari as GCEO and dissolved the existing board, appointing Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman of a new 11-member panel.
The administration has framed these changes as critical to boosting operational efficiency and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector, a linchpin of the nation’s economy.
This is a clear signal that the new leadership is serious about change
Industry observers see the dismissals as a decisive step by Ojulari to stamp his authority and distance the NNPC from Kyari’s legacy, which faced scrutiny over transparency and financial management.
“This is a clear signal that the new leadership is serious about change,” said energy analyst Tunde Alabi. “But the scale of the layoffs raises questions about continuity and morale.”
As the dust settles, the NNPC finds itself at a crossroads.
With over 200 staff affected and a new guard in place, the company’s next moves will be closely watched by stakeholders eager to see if this post-Kyari shake-up can deliver on its promise of a revitalized oil giant. For now, the message is clear: a new era has begun, and no position is untouchable.
