NNPC  fire over 200 employees  in leadership restructure

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has let go of several senior employees as part of a major restructuring initiative.

Sources familiar with the situation stated that those affected include Bala Wunti, the former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery, and Lawal Sade, the chief compliance officer and former managing director of NNPC Trading.

The terminations, which were effective immediately, appear to be related to the employees' close ties with Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer who was ousted from his role on April 2, 2025.

This restructuring has impacted over 200 employees and may signal the start of further staffing changes. Nevertheless, the changes have also resulted in a greater representation of women in senior leadership positions, with Maryam Idrisu assuming the role of managing director of NNPC Trading, responsible for all crude oil dealings, and Obioma Abangwu appointed as chief liaison officer for board matters.

The new appointments have reportedly been positively received by staff, occurring just four weeks after Bayo Ojulari assumed the position of the new Group CEO. Notably, Ojulari formed an eight-member senior management team only three days after starting his tenure.

NNPC  fire over 200 employees  in leadership restructure

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has let go of several senior employees as part of a major restructuring initiative.

Sources familiar with the situation stated that those affected include Bala Wunti, the former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery, and Lawal Sade, the chief compliance officer and former managing director of NNPC Trading.

The terminations, which were effective immediately, appear to be related to the employees' close ties with Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer who was ousted from his role on April 2, 2025.

This restructuring has impacted over 200 employees and may signal the start of further staffing changes. Nevertheless, the changes have also resulted in a greater representation of women in senior leadership positions, with Maryam Idrisu assuming the role of managing director of NNPC Trading, responsible for all crude oil dealings, and Obioma Abangwu appointed as chief liaison officer for board matters.

The new appointments have reportedly been positively received by staff, occurring just four weeks after Bayo Ojulari assumed the position of the new Group CEO. Notably, Ojulari formed an eight-member senior management team only three days after starting his tenure.