In a sweeping shake-up at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, several top officials believed to be close allies of former CEO Mele Kyari have been dismissed. This move is part of a major restructuring following Kyari’s removal from office on April 2, 2025.
Among those affected are Bala Wunti, the former head of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS); Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery; and Lawal Sade, who served as the company’s chief compliance officer and was previously the MD of NNPC Trading. These executives were considered key figures during Mele Kyari’s tenure at NNPC.
According to internal sources, over 200 staff members have been impacted so far, making this one of the most significant staff overhauls in NNPC’s recent history. This restructuring is seen as a strong signal of a new direction for the oil giant.
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As part of the changes, NNPC Ltd has also elevated more women to leadership positions. Notably, Maryam Idrisu has been appointed managing director of NNPC Trading, the unit responsible for all crude oil transactions. In addition, Obioma Abangwu has been named the company’s chief liaison officer for board matters.
The management changes at NNPC following Mele Kyari’s exit are already receiving positive reactions from within the organization. Many staff see the restructuring as an opportunity to reset the company’s priorities and improve transparency and accountability.
This major restructuring at NNPC marks a turning point in how the state-owned oil company is run and highlights the government’s intention to clean house after Mele Kyari’s leadership.
