Shocking Revelation: Presidency Explains Why Age Wasn’t A Factor In Tinubu’s Sacking OF Kyari And NNPCL Leaders

On Wednesday, Tinubu made a swift move to implement major changes at NNPCL, including the removal of Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), effective April 2, 2025. This shake-up is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve the oil giant’s operational efficiency and restore investor confidence.

In the wake of these changes, Bashir Ojulari has been appointed as the new Group CEO, also taking office on April 2, 2025.

Several Presidency sources, speaking anonymously to Punch, explained that the reshuffle was performance-based, with many of those previously in charge failing to make the necessary progress and, in some cases, contributing to the issues at hand.

One source explained, “The President took this step due to performance concerns. We needed a new approach because the previous team was stuck in a loop, and some individuals had become part of the problem.”

Another official emphasized that the decision was not based on Kyari’s age but rather on the performance metrics set by the President, which demanded fresh leadership to stimulate production growth.

“It’s not about Kyari’s age,” the official clarified. “NNPCL is a limited liability company and is not governed by civil service rules. The President has his performance goals, including crude production levels, and he wants new leadership to deliver on these targets.”

The official elaborated that under the new leadership, NNPCL must meet specific targets, including producing 3 million barrels of crude per day by 2030, with an interim target of 2 million barrels per day by 2027. Additionally, gas production must reach 10 billion cubic meters by 2030. These are the performance standards the new team is expected to achieve, a shift from the stagnant progress seen in recent years.

This restructuring is seen as an essential reform aimed at revitalizing NNPCL’s operations and ensuring Nigeria meets its global oil commitments.