The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has removed the managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries in a major shake-up under its new leadership.
This sweeping reorganization is being spearheaded by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and the new Executive Non-Chairman of the Board, Musa Ahmadu-Kida. Several senior officials were also affected, including Bala Wunti, the former Chief of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a key subsidiary of NNPCL.
Sources within the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development on Tuesday night.
“These affected individuals include the MDs of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company,” one source said. “Other senior managers were also asked to leave.”
Another official disclosed that Wunti was among those asked to step down, adding that many employees with less than a year to retirement were directed to exit the company early. Maryam Idrisu has been appointed the new Managing Director of NNPC Trading.
As of press time, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye had not responded to requests for comment.
This development follows the removal of former GCEO Mele Kyari and Board Chairman Pius Akinyelure in April 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, who appointed Ojulari and Ahmadu-Kida in their place.
The recent dismissals come amid mounting concerns over the poor performance of Nigeria’s refineries, despite substantial investments in rehabilitation. The Port Harcourt refinery, though officially declared operational, has been running at less than 50 percent capacity. Meanwhile, the Warri refinery has remained completely shut since January 25, 2025, due to unresolved safety issues in its Crude Distillation Unit Main Heater.
A report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority revealed that the Warri refinery, which reportedly consumed $897.6 million in maintenance costs, failed to produce any Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) before being shut down — just weeks after its former management declared it operational.
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