From Marinho to Ojulari, NNPC has 20 helmsmen at different times
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Since its establishment under the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime in 1977, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has managed the country’s economic mainstay, and transitioned from a corporation to a company, headed by 20 people in different eras across the 48 years.
The first man appointed to the helmsmanship, R. A. Marinho, lasted nearly three years, from July 1977 – April 1980; and the 19th, Mele Kyari survived nearly all of the Muhammadu Buhari second term years from July 2019 until he was fired on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu.
No official reason has been given for Kyari’s sack, but ordinary citizens and oil industry watchers had long expected Tinubu to get rid of him because of alleged pervasive corruption in the oil and gas sectors.
Why Kyari was fired without notice is a mystery, having been spared all along for allegedly protecting Tinubu’s personal and family oil interests, with nephew Wale Tinubu – Oando Oil Managing Director – his alleged frontman in acquiring oil assets.
As though in a military regime, Tinubu on Wednesday morning announced the immediate removal of Kyari as NNPC Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) and his replacement with Bashir Olulari.
Kyari was fired along with the entire NNPC board in a sweeping stake that also brought in Pius Akinyelure as new board Chairman.
In its 48 years of existence, the NNPC has been led by 20 men given different titles such as Group Managing Director (GMD), Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), and GMD/CEO.
Below is the list of people, as compiled by The PUNCH, who have managed the affairs of Nigeria’s cash cow, up to Ojulari who mounted the saddle today.
- R. A. Marinho (July 1977 – April 1980)
- Odiligi Lolomari (April 1980 – August 1981)
- Lawrence Amu (October 1981 – November 1985)
- Aret Adams (November 1985 – April 1990)
- Thomas John (April 1990 – June 1990)
- Edmund Daukoru (June 1992 – October 1993)
- Chamberlin Oyibo (November 1993 – August 1995)
- Dalhatu Bayero (August 1995 – May 1999)
- Jackson Gaius-Obaseki (May 1999 – November 2003)
- Funsho Kupolokun (November 2003 – September 2007)
- Abubakar Yar’Adua (September 2007 – January 2009)
- Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo (January 2009 – April 2010)
- Shehu Ladan (April 2010 – May 2010)
- Augustine O. Oniwon (May 2010 – June 2012)
- Andrew Yakubu (June 2012 – August 2014)
- Joseph Dawha (August 2014 – August 2015)
- Emmanuel Kachikwu (August 2015 – July 2016)
- Maikanti Kachalla Baru (July 2016 – July 2019)
- Mele Kyari (July 2019 – April 2025)
- Bashir Bayo Ojulari (April 2025 – Present)
Read also:
Ojulari’s journey from Elf Aquitaine, SPDC, Renaissance Africa to NNPC helmsmanship
