NNPCL: CSOs Rally Behind Ojulari, Accuses Critics of Sabotage

NNPCL: CSOs Rally Behind Ojulari, Accuses Critics of Sabotage 

…Pass Vote of Confidence on Management

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) on Friday urged detractors to allow the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, and his management team to focus on their mandate rather than being distracted by orchestrated media attacks.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Director-General of the Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption (GCCLAC), Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, condemned what he described as a “coordinated mudslinging campaign” against the national oil company.

“For several weeks now, there has been a plethora of mudslinging against the management of NNPCL in the media by traducers who mean no well for the survival of Nigeria,” Nwambu said while presenting a statement titled Enough is Enough: A Word for NNPCL Traducers.

According to him, the attacks were not only targeted at Ojulari but also extended to other senior executives.

“In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in negative reportage against the NNPCL and its senior management. Today, it is Bayo Ojulari, the Group CEO; tomorrow, it is Dapo Segun, the Chief Financial Officer; the next day, it is Udy Ntia, the Executive Vice President, Upstream. These orchestrated campaigns by faceless groups are most unfortunate,” he said.

He accused the critics of sponsoring fake news, frivolous lawsuits, and staged protests to discredit the company, warning that their actions were capable of scaring away investors.
“To think that some Nigerians are behind these mischievous allegations is disturbing. The purveyors of these acts are oblivious of the immense damage they are doing to a company that should be our collective national treasure,” he stressed.

Highlighting Ojulari’s achievements, Nwambu noted that the NNPCL boss had demonstrated strong leadership by implementing reforms that have boosted operational transparency, fiscal discipline, and global competitiveness.

“Through effective contract reengineering and industry collaboration, the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline has now crossed the River Niger, marking a major step in delivering a project that can transform Nigeria’s industrial fortunes,” he said.

He added that under Ojulari’s stewardship, Nigeria recorded 100 percent crude oil pipeline availability in June 2025, improved oil production, prompt settlement of cash call obligations to international oil companies, and reforms in governance and procurement that have saved billions of naira.

“The critics, in their myopic view, think Ojulari is Nigeria’s problem. But under his leadership, NNPCL has not only faced its challenges head-on, it has achieved significant milestones that signal a break from business as usual,” he declared.

Describing NNPCL as “the goose that lays the golden egg” and a company preparing to be listed on the stock exchange, Nwambu insisted that no amount of blackmail could derail its ongoing transformation.
“The reforms are like a moving train that cannot be stopped. Mr. President did not make a mistake by nominating this management team,” he said.

He urged critics to drop their “vulture-like antics” and support the NNPCL boss.
“In conclusion, as partners in the Nigerian Project, our coalition calls on these detractors to support the Ojulari-led management for the good work it is doing. Instead of circling like vultures, they should allow the new management to turn around the fortunes of the company and set Nigeria on the enviable path of greatness,” Nwambu stated.