By John Adiasi
Abuja, Nigeria – In a ceremony held at the villa on Monday, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the newly appointed board and management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The event was attended by government officials and industry stakeholders.
According to Femi Soneye, spokesperson for the NNPC, the president’s action was in compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. The appointment of the new board and management team was approved by President Tinubu last month, with the effective date set as December 1, 2023.
Mele Kyari, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, was retained as the group chief executive officer (GCEO), reaffirming his commitment to driving the company’s growth and success. Pius Akinyelure was appointed as the non-executive board chairman, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the position. Umar Isa Ajiya, known for his financial acumen, was retained as the chief financial officer (CFO).
Joining the board as non-executive directors are esteemed individuals with diverse backgrounds. Ledum Mitee, Musa Tumsa, Ghali Muhammad, Mustapha Aliyu, David Ogbodo, and Eunice Thomas will contribute their expertise to the strategic direction of the company.
Furthermore, President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Okokon Ekanem Udo as the permanent secretary for the Federal Ministry of Finance and Gabriel Aduda as the permanent secretary for the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. These appointments reflect the president’s commitment to ensuring effective governance and coordination within the oil and finance sectors.
During the inauguration, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of integrity and honor among the board members, referring to them as “people with integrity. Honourable men and women.” He also reiterated his government’s dedication to combating oil theft and pipeline vandalization, expressing his determination to rid the industry of these detrimental activities.
With the new board and management team in place, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is poised to navigate the challenges ahead and drive the growth of the country’s oil and gas sector under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu.
