No Tinubu influence on NNPC operations – NNPCL
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has emphasized its operational independence, stating that President Bola Tinubu does not interfere in its activities.
The national oil company clarified that decisions regarding employment, promotions, appointments, and the movement of business leaders within the organization are free from considerations of ethnicity, religion, tribe, or political affiliation, underscoring its commitment to meritocracy and professionalism.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, on Saturday in response to the article, “Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC” authored by Prof. Farooq Kperogi.
Soneye said decisions within the NNPCL “are guided strictly by merit, business requirements, and expertise.”
Kperogi had in his article criticised what he called “Tinubu’s relentless Yorubacentric take-over of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)” alleging that “Yoruba people now occupy major positions at the NNPC and that a certain (person) is ‘being proposed as GMD after Mele Kyari’s term expires early next year.”
However, Soneye dismissed Kperogi’s article, describing it as riddled with misconceptions about the operations and leadership structure of the NNPC.
He explained that NNPCL prioritizes efficient and effective service delivery, driven by the dedication and expertise of a highly qualified workforce.
He further clarified that President Tinubu does not interfere in the operations or leadership decisions within the NNPC.
“On the contrary, his administration has introduced transformative policies that have added immense value to the oil and gas sector and the broader Nigerian economy.
“President Tinubu’s approach has been to empower institutions like the NNPC to operate independently while fostering a conducive environment for growth and innovation. His reforms have set a benchmark that has significantly improved the sector, surpassing the achievements of many of his predecessors,” he stated.
The NNPC spokesman emphasized that the company is a professional organization with a diverse leadership team comprising individuals from various parts of the world, not limited to Nigeria.
“The presence of qualified foreigners in the employ of the NNPC, who have been bolstering the value chain of production and distribution of allied products, is verifiable.
““It is, thus, sad that a professor of Mr Kperogi’s standing would resort to and play up the issue of ethnic identities in the configuration of the work team in NNPC just to demonise President Tinubu,” he said.
He stated that under Mele Kyari’s leadership, the NNPCL has accomplished remarkable milestones and achieved several industry “firsts.”
“These milestones were not defined, coloured or contoured by primordial fault-lines of tribe and religion. They were inspired by the collective drive for excellence. These milestones include groundbreaking advancements in exploration, production, and global partnerships that were previously thought unattainable. This success is a testament to the company’s focus on competence and professionalism rather than on parochialism as insinuated in the editorial offerings by Mr. Kperogi,” he said.
