NNPC Debunks Claims Of Mele Kyari’s Exit, Says Tinubu Holds Final Authority

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed reports suggesting the exit of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, in January 2025, labeling them as baseless rumors.

NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, clarified in an interview with DAILY POST that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Minister of Petroleum, retains the sole authority to determine Kyari’s tenure.

“I don’t know anything about that; all those things are rumors and false. The man (Mele Kyari) has his time and tenure; the president has the final say.

“As the Minister of Petroleum, anything he wants to do, he will do. For us, it is to continue with our work and do it right,” Soneye stated.

The claims arose amidst speculation that Kyari, who will turn 60 on January 8, 2025, might retire and be succeeded by Bayo Ojulari.

However, Soneye dismissed such reports, emphasizing that the GCEO’s role is governed by professional standards and the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which aligns appointments with the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

Kyari’s tenure is officially expected to run until 2027, as per Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act. The law outlines the composition of NNPC Limited’s board and its adherence to corporate governance principles.

Notably, Kyari, along with the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, are among the few appointees of former President Muhammadu Buhari to retain their positions under President Tinubu’s administration.

In November 2023, Tinubu reaffirmed Kyari’s leadership, reappointing him to head the oil giant alongside its management board members.

Soneye also highlighted NNPCL’s shift towards merit-based appointments, stating, “This is a global energy company. Movement in the company is based on expertise, skills, and ability to deliver, not on the basis that you are from X, Y, or Z; you are Muslim or Christian. Gone are the days we did that; if we do that, we cannot have foreigners working for us.

“We have Dutch, American, and British managing directors of our businesses. If we are doing only Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, we won’t have them. Where we have Nigerians that can deliver, they are there. We, the company, look for professionals that can deliver.”