Real Reason Why I Sacked Mele Kyari As NNPC Boss – Tinubu 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has finally disclosed the real reason behind the sacking of Mallam Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

Tinubu, who approved a sweeping reconstitution of the NNPC board, also removed Chief Pius Akinyelure as chairman and dissolved the entire board appointed in November 2023.

In their place, the president appointed an 11-man board with Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the non-executive chairman.

Speaking on the decision, Tinubu stated that the shake-up was necessary to enhance operational efficiency, restore investor confidence, and reposition the NNPC for greater economic impact.

According to him, the oil sector is the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, and his administration is committed to ensuring that it operates with maximum productivity, transparency, and accountability.

The president further highlighted that the restructuring was aimed at aligning NNPC with the government’s target of increasing oil production to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million barrels per day by 2030.

He also emphasised the need to boost gas production and commercialisation as part of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy.

Under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPC secured $17 billion in new investments within the oil and gas sector.

However, Tinubu’s administration seeks to push the figure to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030. The new board has been mandated to fast-track strategic reforms to achieve these ambitious goals.

Additionally, Tinubu has directed the new board to conduct a comprehensive review of all NNPC-operated and Joint Venture assets to ensure alignment with the government’s value maximisation objectives.

The review is expected to enhance efficiency in crude oil production and refining, with a target of refining up to 500,000 barrels per day by 2030.
Ahmadu Musa Kida, the newly appointed board chairman, hails from Borno State and has vast experience in the oil and gas sector, having served as Deputy Managing Director of Total Nigeria’s Deep Water Services.

Meanwhile, Engr. Ojulari, the new NNPC Group CEO, is a seasoned petroleum engineer with decades of experience in the industry, including key roles at Shell and Renaissance Africa Energy.

President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members for their service, particularly their role in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which had resumed production after prolonged shutdowns.

He wished them success in their future endeavours and assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to making the NNPC a globally competitive energy company.