President Tinubu has reportedly sacked NNPCL GMD, Bayo Ojulari.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Bayo Ojulari’s turbulent tenure as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) appears to be over, as President Bola Tinubu has reportedly fired him following explosive allegations of money laundering and political sabotage.
Though no official statement confirming his dismissal has been issued, authoritative sources within the presidency and NNPCL suggest that Ojulari’s exit is a done deal, with insiders stating “only a miracle will keep him in office at this stage.”
President Tinubu, who appointed Ojulari just four months ago to succeed Mele Kyari, is said to be furious after receiving damning security reports implicating the NNPCL boss in questionable financial transactions.
These allegedly include multimillion-dollar payments to AA&R Investment Group, a company founded by Abdullahi Bashir-Haske; son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Sources within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed that the agency is investigating Ojulari over suspicious transfers flagged as possibly illegal. Some of the transactions reportedly link the national oil company to indirect financial support for the opposition; specifically through Bashir-Haske, a longtime Atiku associate.
The report further reveals that Bashir-Haske, who previously benefited from NNPC contracts under former GMD Maikanti Baru, was sidelined by Mele Kyari but reinstated by Ojulari earlier this year, a move that has triggered serious political alarms.
Ojulari, a former Shell executive and founder of BAT Advisory & Energy, had also advised Renaissance Africa Energy in its $2 billion acquisition of Shell’s onshore assets. His brief leadership at NNPCL is now overshadowed by allegations of politically motivated financial dealings.
“The president sees this as a betrayal,” a senior presidency official told The Cable. “It’s not just about corruption, it’s about aligning with forces working against the president’s 2027 ambition.”
While the presidency is reportedly considering a “soft landing” for Ojulari to avoid a full-blown scandal so early in Tinubu’s administration, the decision to relieve him of his duties has already been made behind closed doors.
“His sack is imminent,” another source added. “This is no longer just a governance issue; it’s a political red alert.”
Ojulari’s potential departure marks yet another shake-up in Tinubu’s effort to tighten control over critical sectors amid rising concerns over loyalty and accountability within his administration.