President Bola Tinubu has sacked Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), just four months after his appointment.
Ojulari, who assumed office in April 2025, was dismissed over what top presidency and NNPC sources described as “monumental corruption”, abuse of office, and mismanagement.
According to multiple insider accounts, Ojulari allegedly used the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intimidate oil marketers and contractors, pressuring them into making illicit financial payments. There are also claims that he unilaterally ordered the shutdown of the Port Harcourt refinery—without proper audit or consultations despite not having visited the facility since his appointment.
“The refinery was shut down without due process, no technical audit, no operational review, said a senior official at NNPC who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“He never stepped foot at the refinery since taking over and had plans to sell it to his associates under questionable arrangements.”
Sources further disclosed that Ojulari failed to visit or assess any of NNPC’s subsidiaries or critical infrastructure during his time as the GCEO, raising further concerns about his commitment and leadership style.
His sudden dismissal comes amid heightened scrutiny on public officials and a renewed pledge by the federal government to sanitize the oil and gas sector. The presidency is expected to announce Ojulari’s replacement soon.
The NNPC has not yet issued an official statement, but sources confirm that security agencies and anti-corruption bodies may be called in to further investigate the allegations.
Bayo Ojulari previously served as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and was considered a surprise pick for the NNPC top job.
His tenure, however, has ended in controversy and public disappointment.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, had yet to respond to NAIJAONPOINT inquiries as of press time.