Who is Bashir Bayo Ojulari? Meet the New NNPC Group CEO

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), signaling a major leadership overhaul in Nigeria’s oil and gas company.

Under the authority of Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, President Tinubu sacked the former Group CEO, Mele Kyari, dissolved the existing board, including its chairman, Pius Akinyelure, and reconstituted an 11-member board. Ojulari.

Early Career

Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s career in the oil and gas industry began with a historic milestone: he was the first Nigerian process engineer at Elf Aquitaine, a French multinational oil company.

This role marked the start of his journey in the energy sector. In 1991, he joined the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), where his technical skills and dedication began to shine. Hailing from Kwara State, Ojulari’s early career laid a strong foundation for his later achievements in Nigeria and beyond.

Career Progression

Ojulari’s expertise grew as he took on various managerial roles across Europe and the Middle East, specializing in petroleum engineering, process engineering, production engineering, and health and safety.

His international exposure honed his skills as a strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager, equipping him with a global perspective on the oil and gas industry. In November 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and General Manager, Deepwater, roles he held until 2021.

During this period, he also served on the board of SPDC, overseeing critical functions such as onshore and offshore petroleum engineering, technical integration of development, well engineering, and project engineering.

Recent Roles and Achievements

Prior to his appointment as NNPC Group CEO, Ojulari was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. In this capacity, he led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in a groundbreaking $2.4 billion acquisition of the entire equity holding in SPDC.

This landmark deal, completed recently, highlights his strategic leadership and ability to execute high-stakes transactions in the Nigerian oil industry. His success in this role underscores his readiness to steer NNPC Limited toward operational excellence and economic impact.

Education and Professional Affiliations

Ojulari’s academic foundation is rooted in Mechanical Engineering, which he studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from 1985 to 1989. This technical education has been instrumental in shaping his career.

A fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, he has also contributed to the profession as a member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigeria Council) from 1998 to 1999. These affiliations reflect his commitment to advancing engineering and petroleum expertise in Nigeria.

Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s appointment as the Group CEO of NNPC Limited brings a seasoned leader with a proven track record to the helm of Nigeria’s state-owned oil company.

His journey from being the first Nigerian process engineer at Elf Aquitaine to leading a $2.4 billion acquisition demonstrates his technical prowess, managerial acumen, and strategic vision. With extensive experience in petroleum engineering, international exposure, and a deep connection to Nigeria’s energy landscape, Ojulari is poised to drive innovation and growth at NNPC Limited, strengthening its role in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and the nation’s economy.

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