Bala Wunti Exits NNPC, Reflects On Decades Of Impactful Leadership

Former chief upstream investment officer and immediate past chief Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bala Wunti, has reflected on his decades of impactful leadership and service to the national oil company.

At a farewell ceremony held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja on Friday, Wunti, whose career spans over 30 years in the petroleum industry, highlighted key achievements under his stewardship that have shaped Nigeria’s energy sector.

During the emotional handover to acting Head of HSE, Akpabio Essien, Wunti expressed gratitude to colleagues, senior management, and family for their support throughout his career. He emphasised that these accomplishments were the result of collective dedication to NNPC’s core values of integrity, excellence, and sustainability.

Wunti, in an emotional ceremony, recalled his early days at the Eleme Petrochemical Complex, Rivers state, ‘as s young, hopeful, perhaps a little naive’, employee, stressing that it was there he learnt the fundamental lessons of discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

“It felt both daunting and exhilarating to step into an organisation that held so much promise and carried such tremendous responsibility for Nigeria’s economy. As the years passed, my responsibilities increased, each forward step bringing new challenges and invaluable lessons,” he recalled.

At some point, he noted that he headed the market research division at Brass LNG, serving as general manager of the Efficiency Unit, and then as senior technical advisor to the group managing director, as well as leading a post-COVID upstream revival.

These, he recalled, took place first at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS)  and later at NUIMS, which he said laid the foundation for a new era of success.

“I had the opportunity of leading the operationalisation of successful breakthrough initiatives, such as the resolution of the high-impact, multibillion dollar  deepwater Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) arbitration, protracted EGTL cost dispute and ‘Operation White’ to curb the smuggling of petroleum products across borders.

“I also led the vital Kolmani Integrated Oil Development projects which was an exceptional opportunity. These were more than just strategic projects; they represented a collective resolve to serve Nigeria and NNPC with honour and glory,” he added.

Besides, Wunti mentioned his several advocacies, such as the one for gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel, under the NNPC ‘Nigasification strategy’, for which he led its formulation.

According to him, it was not just about policy, but also about passion, a heartfelt conviction to do what is right and what is best. “Seeing such efforts materialise through changes to national policy has been immensely rewarding,” he emphasised.

Furthermore, Wunti pointed out that he had the honour of leading the NNPC team in successfully transitioning the NNPC into NNPC Limited as part of the implementation of the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

This, he said, aimed to improve transparency, accountability, and commercial viability, positioning NNPC as a dynamic global energy company of choice, having earlier contributed significantly to the eventual passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law as the PIA in 2021, following a 20-year delay.

“On the global stage, my active participation in international organisations, especially the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) provided me a unique platform to represent Nigeria and NNPC on a global level, engaging with some of the world’s most influential energy policymakers, economists, and strategists.

“These interactions broadened my worldview, sharpened my understanding of global oil market dynamics and deepened my appreciation for international energy diplomacy, negotiation, and multilateral cooperation.

“Narrowing my focus to the last couple of months, during which I served as Chief Health, Safety, and Environment Officer, I was privileged to work on several transformative initiatives that offered the unique opportunity to enhance safety and sustainability across the company.

“With the support of our GCEO, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, the GCOO, Mr. Roland Ewubare, the CFO, Mr. Adedapo Segun and the rest of the Senior Management Team, my HSE team has successfully delivered key projects that I bequeath as my legacy to NNPC HSE,” Wunti said.

He listed some of them as HSE rebranding; the Incident Management Reporting Application Plus (IMRA+), which replaced the limited MySafety application; the Fire Extinguisher Management System (FEMS), and the extensively updated NNPC HSE Policy and Process Guidelines (HPPG).

“Finally, my fondest memories in NNPC aren’t limited to the corporate successes we achieved. They reside equally in the moments of human connection, interactions with seniors, peers, and young professionals whose bright eyes mirrored my early enthusiasm, in the late-night discussions.

“These stretched beyond professional boundaries and evolved into genuine friendships, and in the collective celebrations of individual successes and the attainment of personal milestones. As I clear out my desk and bid my final goodbyes, I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude, not a heavy one.

“For everything I have given, I have received more; I am grateful for all the experiences that have refined me and the victories that remind me why we show up every day. My deepest gratitude goes to all my colleagues, leaders and friends that I have had the pleasure of working with. Equally, my love and appreciation for my darling family that have stood by me and given me strength through my journey.

“Though this office may no longer carry the sound of my footsteps, I hope the imprint of my service lives on; enduring, steady, and true. May the corridors I leave behind be filled with new ideas and continuous applause of success.

“May the seeds we planted together bloom into a bountiful harvest. This is not goodbye. It is a benediction. A trace in time that says: ‘I was here. I gave my best. And I am grateful.’

Today, I stand still in reflection in this space that has defined for me decades of purpose, success, challenge, growth, and grace.

“I pause to allow my gaze to linger in the familiar space. The framed photographs, the memories, the achievements, and the rare setbacks challenged me to rise stronger. These represent more than just professional milestones; they embody moments that have profoundly shaped my journey over the past three decades,” he noted.

Earlier in the day, before the handover ceremony, Bala welcomed some HSE interns who had come to bid him goodbye.

Ending with a stint at the Group HSE division, he stated that all these formed chapters in the story of his commitment to the progress of the company, guided by its core values of integrity, excellence, and sustainability.

In his final role as Chief HSE Officer, Wunti oversaw the implementation of innovative safety and environmental initiatives, including the Incident Management Reporting Application Plus (IMRA+), Fire Extinguisher Management System (FEMS), and updated HSE policies, reinforcing NNPC’s commitment to operational safety and sustainability.

As he steps down, Bala Wunti leaves behind a legacy of transformative leadership that has significantly advanced Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, positioning NNPC for continued success in a dynamic global energy landscape.