President Bola Tinubu made waves when he decided to shake things up at Nigeria’s state-oil firm, NNPC. In a bold move, the entire board, including Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari and board chairperson Pius Akinyelure, were shown the door. But what caught everyone’s attention was the appointment of Bayo Bashir Ojulari as the new GCEO of NNPC.
Who is Bayo Ojulari? Well, he’s not just any energy expert; he’s a seasoned business leader with a stellar reputation in the global energy sector. With over 24 years of experience under his belt, Ojulari has navigated the complex world of oil and gas with finesse. His journey from humble beginnings to heading one of Nigeria’s most critical organizations is nothing short of remarkable.
From Shell to NNPC: A Journey of Excellence
Ojulari’s career trajectory reads like a best-selling novel — filled with twists, turns, and triumphs. He kickstarted his professional journey at Elf Petroleum Nigeria as a Fields and Process Engineer after graduating from Ahmadu Bello University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. The year was 1989, and little did he know that this was just the beginning of an illustrious career.
In 1991, Ojulari spread his wings and joined Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) as an Associate Production Technologist. This move marked the start of his long-standing relationship with Shell—a partnership that would shape his future in profound ways.
As years rolled by, Ojulari climbed the corporate ladder at Shell with determination and dedication. From heading planning economics and budgeting in Nigeria to leading production teams in Oman, his leadership skills shone brightly wherever he went. His tenure at Shell culminated in him becoming the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) until July 2021 when he chose to explore new horizons outside the company walls.
A New Chapter Unfolds: Renaissance Africa Beckons
Stepping into uncharted territory didn’t faze Ojulari—in fact, it invigorated him. In September 2021, he founded BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd—an endeavor aimed at providing top-notch consultancy services to players in the oil and gas/energy sector. But that wasn’t all; January 2024 saw him donning yet another hat as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Africa Energy Company.
Renaissance Africa presented Ojulari with fresh challenges and opportunities—chief among them being involved in finalizing the acquisition deal for a significant stake previously held by Shell in Nigeria’s oil landscape. It was during this time that fate intervened once again, paving the way for him to take on a pivotal role at NNPC.
The Dawn of a New Era: Leading NNPC into Tomorrow
Assuming leadership at NNPC wasn’t just about taking charge—it was about steering an organization mired in allegations of corruption and inefficiency towards greener pastures. With his extensive background in energy coupled with strategic acumen honed over decades, Ojulari seemed tailor-made for this challenging task.
President Tinubu wasted no time setting expectations for the new board—to conduct meticulous reviews ensuring alignment with value maximization objectives across NNPC-operated assets and Joint Ventures—an indicator of robust governance practices underlining their mandate.
As Bayo Ojulari embarks on this new chapter as head honcho at NNPC, all eyes are on him to see how he’ll leverage his wealth of experience garnered from traversing international energy landscapes to drive innovation, transparency, and efficiency within one of Africa’s most critical institutions.
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