Member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Abdullahi Hashim, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Engr Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Engr Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Hashim described the appointments as timely and strategic, noting that both men bring a wealth of engineering, technical and leadership experience to the national oil company.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the new management team to achieve President Tinubu’s ambitious goals for the oil and gas sector.
He added that Ojulari and Kida, both alumni of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, are well-positioned to steer NNPCL towards sustainable energy security and infrastructural growth.
He emphasised the need for continued progress at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, as well as the swift completion of Kaduna Refinery’s rehabilitation.
Hashim also welcomed Tinubu’s directive to the new board to conduct a strategic review of NNPCL’s assets in line with value maximization goals.
He said, “The appointments of Ojulari and Kida reflect global best practices in energy sector governance, they are seasoned professionals with impressive track records, and their leadership is expected to drive NNPCL toward greater transparency, efficiency, and profitability.
Ojulari and Kida know the terrain, they understand the stakes and the targets set by the President. With their combined experience, they can reposition NNPCL and optimize Nigeria’s oil and gas assets”.
He added , “Ojulari and Kida are very competent for the jobs. They are active players in the oil industry with the requisite experience. They know what is at stake and the targets set for them by President Tinubu. I’m confident that the duo and other members of the management team will meet the targets and take the NNPCL to greater height.
We all know that oil industry is volatile and quite challenging. Former GCEO, Mele Kyari and his management team have done their best. Ojulari, Kida and the new management team are now in charge and will use their expertise and wide knowledge of oil industry to take us forward in our quest to maximise the advantages of being one of the world’s producers of crude oil”.
“ They will surely ensure good results from the NNPCL’s refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri and the timely completion of the rehabilitation of Kaduna Refinery. The tasks are enormous but they have the capacity to deliver on set objectives.
It is important to note that Ojulari has distinguished himself as the right man for the job, having pilot affairs as the Managing Director of SNEPCo and General Manager, Deepwater. He also served on the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company, overseeing onshore and offshore petroleum engineering, technical integration of development, well engineering, and project engineering”, he said.
“The stage is set for a dynamic transformation of NNPCL, with Ojulari and Kida at the helm, Nigerians should expect bold, forward-thinking reforms,” he added.
