Labour Unites Against Aminu Ahmed’s NNPC Board Nomination: What’s Behind The Outrage

President Bola Tinubu recently appointed Ahmed, a senior manager from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to this role. However, the NLC chapter at MPR has rejected the appointment, claiming it violates legal provisions.

In a widely circulated video, union members expressed their dissatisfaction, asserting that Ahmed is not an official of the Ministry of Petroleum. They based their objections on Section 59(2)(d) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which stipulates that the ministry’s representative on the NNPC board must be no lower than a director within the ministry.

The labour union has called for the immediate reversal of Ahmed’s appointment, emphasizing that his current position as a senior manager in NMDPRA does not meet the statutory criteria.

Legal and Expert Opinions

Energy expert Abolade Adewale, speaking on behalf of concerned experts, echoed the union’s position. He stressed that Ahmed’s appointment contradicts Section 59(2)(d) of the PIA, which clearly states that the NNPC Ltd Board must include a representative from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) at the director level or higher.

Adewale further pointed out that NMDPRA is an independent regulatory body, distinct from MPR, making it inappropriate for its officials to represent the ministry on the NNPC board. He emphasized that Ahmed is neither a director nor a staff member of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The NLC chapter also drew comparisons to the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF), which is represented on the same board by its Permanent Secretary, in accordance with the PIA’s requirements. They have urged President Tinubu to ensure consistency by appointing a Permanent Secretary from MPR, just as is done with the FMF.

Concerns Over Representation

The protesters also expressed concerns about the MPR’s representation in international petroleum bodies, such as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). They criticized the practice of appointing non-ministry officials to lead such delegations, claiming it is often influenced by nepotism, thereby undermining institutional knowledge and credibility.

“We respectfully urge that all nominations to international petroleum-related engagements be made exclusively from serving MPR officials, as permitted by the law,” Adewale added.

Call for Presidential Action

The NLC chapter, along with other stakeholders, is calling on President Tinubu to act swiftly and rescind the appointment of Aminu Said Ahmed. They argue that a senior official from MPR, ideally the Permanent Secretary, should be appointed to ensure parity with the Federal Ministry of Finance’s representation on the NNPC Ltd Board.

Confident in the President’s commitment to the rule of law, they believe he will take the necessary corrective action to uphold the integrity of the PIA 2021. “President Tinubu has always listened to valid judgments, and we trust he will act in accordance with the law to preserve the integrity of the PIA 2021,” they concluded.