The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has confirmed that there are no plans to remove its Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mele Kyari, despite recent rumors suggesting otherwise.
On Friday, Olufemi Soneye, a spokesperson for NNPC, spoke with our reporter to clarify the situation. This comes after a significant restructuring within the company on Wednesday, which led to speculation from an international newspaper that Kyari might be forced to leave his position before the end of the year.
The newspaper reported that as the NNPC undergoes changes in leadership, Kyari could be removed from his role as CEO. They cited anonymous sources claiming that Kyari has been in a precarious position for some time and that he has even shared with close friends that he is prepared to step down soon.
However, Soneye dismissed these claims as unfounded rumors. He questioned the newspaper’s authority to comment on Kyari’s career, suggesting that it was odd for them to appear to know so much about his future plans. He called the speculation “baseless” and “laughable,” pointing out that it reflects poorly on those spreading such stories.
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To clarify the situation, Soneye highlighted Kyari’s successful leadership of the company. He noted that under Kyari’s guidance, the NNPC has shifted from experiencing financial losses to now making profits. He mentioned that just recently, the company achieved a significant milestone by producing over 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, which he credited to Kyari’s hard work and dedication.
Soneye emphasized that Kyari is committed to fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for advancing Nigeria’s energy sector and ensuring the country’s energy security. He described the rumors about Kyari’s potential removal as “as credible as a mirage in the desert,” meaning they are completely unfounded.
Additionally, on the same day of the leadership changes, the NNPC announced new appointments: Isiyaku Abdullahi was named Executive Vice President for Downstream operations, Udobong Ntia was appointed Executive Vice President for Upstream operations, and Adedapo Segun became the new Chief Financial Officer of the company.
