By Emmanuel Nduka
In a sweeping restructuring effort, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has laid off over 200 staff members, including senior executives, as part of its first major overhaul under newly appointed CEO Bayo Ojulari.
Heritage Times HT reports that among those affected are Bala Wunti, former head of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS); Lawal Sade, chief compliance officer; and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The changes took effect immediately, according to multiple internal sources.
According to sources in the NNPC, the move was widely welcomed across both executive and junior ranks of the company, with many interpreting it as a push for greater diversity and inclusion under Ojulari’s leadership.
“This restructuring will enhance female representation in leadership positions,” a senior official told The Gazette, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
Ojulari has since promoted Maryamu Idris to replace Lawal Sade as Managing Director of Trading, where she will now oversee crude oil transactions. Obioma Abangwu has also been named Chief Liaison Officer to the NNPC Management Board.
NNPC’s corporate communications unit did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the development.
It would be recalled that Ojulari, formerly an executive at Shell, officially assumed office on April 4 after being appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
He succeeded Mele Kyari, who led the company for five years before his removal earlier this month.
