If you follow Nigerian oil and gas news, you’ve seen the name. But who is the person running NNPC Limited, and why does it matter?
The Group Chief Executive Officer is the head of management at NNPC Limited. Not a minister. Not a politician. A professional manager. The GCEO reports to the board of directors, not to the government directly. This is a fundamental change from the old NNPC.
The current GCEO is Bashir Bayo Ojulari. He was appointed in April 2025. He replaced Mele Kyari, who had held the position since 2019.
Here’s who Ojulari is, what the GCEO does, and why the role matters for every Nigerian.
The Short Answer
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited is Bashir Bayo Ojulari. He was appointed on April 2, 2025, following the dissolution of the previous board.
Ojulari is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. He previously held senior positions at Shell and other international oil companies.
The GCEO is the head of management at NNPC Limited. He leads the executive team, implements board decisions, and manages day-to-day operations. He reports to the board of directors, not to the minister.
If you’re curious about who is the GCEO of NNPC, Ojulari is the answer. And if you want to understand what NNPC Limited is under the Petroleum Industry Act, the GCEO role is central to the new governance structure.
The Role of the GCEO
Head of Management
The GCEO is the most senior executive at NNPC Limited. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.
The role includes:
- Implementing board decisions
- Leading the executive management team
- Managing operations across all business units
- Representing NNPC Limited to external stakeholders
- Reporting performance to the board
Reports to the Board
The GCEO reports to the board of directors, not to the Minister of Petroleum Resources. This is a fundamental change from the old NNPC.
Under the old structure, the Group Managing Director reported directly to the minister. The minister could give orders. The lines were direct but blurry.
Under the new structure, the board sets strategy. The GCEO implements it. The board monitors performance. The GCEO reports results. The minister provides policy direction but does not give operational orders.
The difference between NNPC and NNPC Limited is evident in this reporting line.
Appointed by the Board
The GCEO is appointed by the board of directors. The board is appointed by the President on behalf of the shareholders.
The April 2025 appointment of Ojulari followed this process. The board was dissolved. A new board was appointed. The new board appointed Ojulari as GCEO.
The NNPC board of directors and their roles include appointing the GCEO.
The Current GCEO: Bashir Bayo Ojulari
Appointment
Bashir Bayo Ojulari was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited on April 2, 2025.
The appointment followed President Tinubu’s dissolution of the previous board. A new 11-member board was appointed. The new board then appointed Ojulari as GCEO.
Background and Experience
Ojulari brings extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. He previously held senior positions at Shell, one of the world’s largest international oil companies.
His career spans decades in the petroleum sector. He has experience in upstream operations, project management, and corporate leadership.
Ojulari is known for his focus on operational efficiency, transparency, and commercial discipline.
Priorities as GCEO
Since his appointment, Ojulari has emphasized several priorities:
- Transparency — He has stressed the importance of open reporting and accountability.
- Cost efficiency — He has focused on reducing operational costs and improving margins.
- World-class project delivery — He has emphasized the need for NNPC Limited to execute projects on time and on budget.
- IPO readiness — He has overseen planning for a potential public listing on the NYSE and LSE.
In his own words: “Our strategy is not just about listing, but about building the right fundamentals, transparency, cost efficiency, and world-class project delivery.”
The Previous GCEO: Mele Kyari
Tenure
Mele Kyari served as Group Managing Director of the old NNPC from July 2019, and then as GCEO of NNPC Limited after the transition.
Kyari led NNPC through the transition from a statutory corporation to a limited liability company. He oversaw the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and the incorporation of NNPC Limited.
Achievements
Under Kyari’s leadership:
- NNPC published audited financial statements regularly
- The company began remitting taxes and dividends
- Transparency improved significantly
- The foundation for commercialization was laid
Departure
Kyari was removed in the April 2025 board overhaul. The government cited the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC.”
The objectives and mandate of NNPC continued under new leadership.
How the GCEO Role Has Changed
| Aspect | Old NNPC (GMD) | NNPC Limited (GCEO) |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Group Managing Director | Group Chief Executive Officer |
| Reports to | Minister of Petroleum Resources | Board of Directors |
| Appointment | Ministerial | Board appointment |
| Oversight | Ministerial supervision | Board oversight |
| Accountability | Government channels | Corporate governance |
The organizational structure of NNPC Limited places the GCEO firmly under board oversight.
What the GCEO Does Day-to-Day
Strategic Leadership
The GCEO sets the strategic direction for NNPC Limited. He works with the board to define priorities and goals.
Operational Management
The GCEO oversees day-to-day operations. He works through Executive Vice Presidents who head major directorates:
- EVP, Upstream
- EVP, Downstream
- EVP, Gas and Power
- EVP, Finance and Accounts
- EVP, Corporate Services
- EVP, Business Development
External Representation
The GCEO represents NNPC Limited to external stakeholders. This includes:
- Government officials
- International partners
- Investors (including potential IPO investors)
- Media
Performance Reporting
The GCEO reports performance to the board regularly. This includes financial results, operational metrics, and progress on strategic initiatives.
Why the GCEO Matters to Nigerians
Accountability
The GCEO is accountable to the board, which is accountable to shareholders (the government), which is accountable to Nigerians.
When NNPC Limited performs poorly, the GCEO can be replaced. The April 2025 leadership change demonstrated this accountability.
Transparency
Under Ojulari’s leadership, NNPC Limited has continued to publish audited financial statements. The NNPC financial statements explained show how the company is performing.
Nigerians can see the numbers — revenue, costs, profits, and remittances.
IPO Planning
The GCEO is leading planning for a potential public listing. If successful, Nigerians will have the opportunity to invest directly in NNPC Limited.
The can the public buy NNPC shares question depends partly on the GCEO’s success in preparing the company for listing.
The Future
IPO Readiness
Ojulari has made clear that the company will not rush into listing. Building fundamentals comes first.
The GCEO’s focus on transparency, cost efficiency, and world-class project delivery is designed to make NNPC Limited attractive to investors.
Continued Transformation
The GCEO role will continue to evolve as NNPC Limited matures as a commercial company.
The difference between NNPC and NNPC Limited will become even more pronounced under professional management.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current GCEO | Bashir Bayo Ojulari |
| Appointed | April 2, 2025 |
| Reports to | Board of Directors |
| Predecessor | Mele Kyari (2019–2025) |
| Key priorities | Transparency, cost efficiency, IPO readiness |
The Conclusion
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited is Bashir Bayo Ojulari. He was appointed in April 2025 following a board overhaul by President Tinubu.
The GCEO is the head of management at NNPC Limited. He leads the executive team, implements board decisions, and manages day-to-day operations. He reports to the board of directors, not to the minister. This is a fundamental change from the old NNPC.
Ojulari brings extensive experience from Shell and other international oil companies. His priorities include transparency, cost efficiency, and preparing NNPC Limited for a potential public listing.
For Nigerians, the GCEO matters because he is accountable for the performance of the national oil company. When NNPC Limited fails to perform, the GCEO can be replaced. The April 2025 leadership change demonstrated this accountability in action.
Official sources for verification:
Last updated: April 2026. Information based on Petroleum Industry Act 2021 provisions, NNPC announcements, and official government communications.
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