A coalition of Nigerian youth and civil society groups has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a press statement on Tuesday, the Coalition of Geopolitical Youth Association of Nigeria and Civil Societies described Ojulari’s appointment on April 2, 2025, as a strategic move, citing his extensive experience in the oil and gas sector.
Ojulari, a former managing director at Shell Nigeria, is credited with managing the Bonga oil field, boosting production efficiency by 20%, and cutting operational costs by 30%.
The coalition highlighted NNPCL’s ambitious targets under Ojulari, including attracting $30 billion in investments by 2027 and increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels daily.
It noted that significant progress has been made, including the handover of 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation costs and advancing the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project.
The coalition noted that Ojulari’s leadership has also seen the resumption of crude oil drilling at the Kolmani site, marking a historic exploration in Northern Nigeria.
The group praised NNPCL’s new transparency measures, such as monthly reports published since April 2025, which have coincided with a reduction in fuel prices.
The coalition’s convener, Amb Olasunkanmi John Kolawole, urged Nigerian youth to support Ojulari’s reforms and resist being used as “political tools” by detractors.
The coalition called for unity among stakeholders to back NNPCL’s transformation efforts, emphasising Ojulari’s vision for energy access and affordability.
