A stakeholder in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has called for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, over what he described as neglect of government-owned refineries.
Dr. Joseph Obele, an energy expert and lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, made the call in Port Harcourt on February 22, 2026, amid controversy surrounding the NNPCL GCEO’s recent visit to the Dangote Refinery.
The visit has sparked reactions from some stakeholders who questioned why the NNPCL boss had not paid similar visits to the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries since assuming office.
Ojulari was appointed GCEO of NNPCL on April 2, 2025, by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Critics argue that nearly a year into his tenure, there has been no reported inspection visit by him to the government-owned refineries under his supervision.
Stakeholders described the visit to a privately owned refinery as a signal of misplaced priorities, noting that the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are national assets funded by taxpayers and have consumed significant public resources for rehabilitation over the years.
Dr. Obele said public officials must demonstrate visible commitment to reviving government-owned facilities before celebrating partnerships with private enterprises.
He further alleged that a directive to shut down the Port Harcourt Refinery was issued from the GCEO’s office on May 24, 2025, without a personal inspection tour, raising concerns about accountability and leadership engagement.
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According to him, visiting the government refineries would boost the morale of workers and contractors and restore public confidence in efforts to rehabilitate the facilities.
Dr. Obele maintained that leadership of a state-owned oil company requires transparency, equity and dedication to national interest. He argued that prioritising public appearances at a private refinery over engagement with government-owned facilities undermines public trust.
He therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to relieve Ojulari of his position as GCEO of NNPCL, stating that such action would restore confidence and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to protecting national assets.
Meanwhile, some civil society groups are reportedly considering legal options as part of efforts to press for accountability.
Stakeholders also urged the NNPCL leadership to provide a comprehensive public update on the operational status of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, prioritise direct inspection of the facilities, and ensure transparency in any operational or shutdown directives.
They emphasised that while collaboration between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery may offer economic benefits, it should not overshadow the urgent responsibility to rehabilitate and operationalise government-owned refineries.
According to them, Nigeria’s energy security and economic sovereignty must remain paramount, warning that any action perceived as sidelining national assets in favour of private interests could further erode public confidence.
