NNPC Denies Claims of Mele Kyari’s Exit, Says President Tinubu Has Final Say
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has rejected claims that its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari, will exit in January 2025. According to NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, these rumors are false, stating that any decision regarding Kyari’s tenure is ultimately at the discretion of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Soneye clarified that Kyari, who will turn 60 on January 8, 2025, has a defined tenure, but the final decision on his continuation in office rests with President Tinubu. “I don’t know anything about that; all those things are rumors and false,” Soneye remarked. He emphasized that the NNPC operates as a global energy company, and leadership appointments are made based on skills, expertise, and the ability to deliver, rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
The speculation regarding Kyari’s potential retirement comes as some stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have pointed out that his tenure is expected to end in 2027, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021, which outlines the governance structure for the NNPC. Kyari was reappointed by President Tinubu in November 2023, and some insiders believe his departure might coincide with his 60th birthday.
Despite these speculations, Soneye assured that the NNPC’s leadership continues to focus on its operational goals. He also stressed that the company’s approach to appointments is driven by professionalism, citing the presence of foreign nationals from countries such as the Netherlands, the United States, and the UK working within the company.
This follows broader discussions on the direction of the NNPC under President Tinubu’s administration, including criticism from academic and political figures. In a recent article, Nigerian-American professor Farooq Kperogi accused President Tinubu of continuing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged ethnic biases in NNPC appointments. However, the presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, dismissed these claims, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai also criticized the accusations, calling for greater inclusivity.
Recent appointments at NNPC include Adedapo Segun as the new Chief Financial Officer, alongside other new executive vice presidents, further shaping the future of the company as it moves from a public corporation to a limited liability company.
