Bashir Bayo Ojulari: Meet NNPC’s New Group Chief Executive Officer

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, replacing Mele Kyari, NationalDailyng.com highlights key facts about the new oil industry leader.

Ojulari hails from Kwara State in North Central Nigeria. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

His academic background laid the foundation for a distinguished career in the oil and gas sector, spanning decades and multiple continents.

Before his appointment as NNPC’s GCEO, Ojulari served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, a key player in Nigeria’s oil industry.

His leadership at Renaissance was pivotal in the recent $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) by a consortium of indigenous energy firms.

Ojulari began his career at Elf Aquitaine, where he became the first Nigerian process engineer in the company’s history.

He later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an Associate Production Technologist, marking the start of an extensive tenure in the global energy sector.

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Beyond Nigeria, Ojulari has held various roles in Europe and the Middle East, gaining expertise as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager.

His diverse experience across different oil markets and operational environments has positioned him as a respected figure in the industry.

In 2015, he became the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), overseeing critical offshore and deepwater projects.

Under his leadership, SNEPCO expanded its operations and made significant contributions to Nigeria’s oil production.

Ojulari has played an influential role in the oil and gas community, serving as Chairman and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigeria Council).

He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a testament to his contributions to engineering and energy development in the country.

Ojulari takes over from Mele Kyari, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019. Kyari, who turned 60 on January 8, 2025, led the NNPC through key reforms, including the company’s transition to a limited liability entity under the Petroleum Industry Act.

As he steps into his new role, Ojulari will work closely with Ahmadu Musa Kida, the newly appointed Chairman of NNPC’s board, who replaced Pius Akinyelure.

Together, they are expected to drive Nigeria’s oil and gas sector towards increased efficiency, investment, and global competitiveness.

Ojulari’s appointment signals a new chapter for NNPC, as the Tinubu administration pushes for ambitious oil production targets, enhanced gas commercialization, and a stronger national energy strategy.

Industry watchers will be keenly observing his leadership in the coming years to assess the impact of his expertise on Nigeria’s petroleum sector.