NNPC Denies Kyari Exit Rumors, Confirms Decision Lies With President Tinubu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has stated that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the authority to decide the future of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, amid rumors suggesting his potential exit in January 2025.

NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye made this clarification in an interview with Daily Post on Monday.

There has been speculation within industry circles that Kyari, who will turn 60 on January 8, 2025, may retire and be succeeded by Bayo Ojulari. However, NNPC dismissed these rumors, asserting that the decision regarding Kyari’s tenure rests solely with President Tinubu.

Soneye stated, “I don’t know anything about that; all these claims are rumors and false. The man (Mele Kyari) has his time and tenure; the president has the final say. As the Minister of Petroleum, whatever he decides, he will do. For us, we will continue with our work and do it well.”

He further emphasized that NNPCL’s appointments are based on qualifications, skills, and performance, rather than ethnic, religious, or other biases.

“This is a global energy company. Movements within the company are based on expertise, skills, and ability to deliver, not on whether you are from a particular ethnicity or religious group. If we limited ourselves to such criteria, we wouldn’t be able to work with foreign professionals. We have Dutch, American, and British managing directors in our operations. If we restricted our hiring to Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba backgrounds, we wouldn’t be able to attract them. The company seeks out professionals who can deliver,” he added.