The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has stated that President Bola Tinubu does not interfere in its operations or influence personnel movements within the organisation.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, emphasised that “employment, promotions, appointments, and movements of business leaders at the NNPCL are not influenced by ethnicity, tribe, religion, or political affiliation.”

The statement was released in response to an article titled “Tinubu’s Buharisation of the NNPC” by Prof. Farooq Kperogi. According to Soneye, decisions within the NNPCL “are guided strictly by merit, business requirements, and expertise.”

In his article, Kperogi had accused President Tinubu of orchestrating a “Yorubacentric takeover” of the NNPC, alleging that key leadership positions were now occupied by individuals of Yoruba descent and that a particular candidate was being considered for the position of Group Managing Director (GMD) after Mele Kyari’s tenure ends next year.

Soneye dismissed these claims, describing the article as “riddled with misconceptions” about the company’s operations and leadership structure. He reiterated that the NNPCL prioritises efficient and effective service delivery through a team of qualified professionals.

“President Tinubu does not interfere in the operations or leadership movements within the NNPC,” Soneye said. “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 NNPCL 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.”

Soneye further highlighted the diverse composition of the NNPCL’s leadership, which includes professionals from different regions of Nigeria and beyond.

“The presence of qualified foreign experts contributing to the value chain of production and distribution within the NNPCL is verifiable,” he said. “It is disheartening that a professor of Kperogi’s calibre would resort to using ethnic identities to criticise the NNPC’s work team and vilify President Tinubu.”

Under the leadership of Mele Kyari, the NNPCL has achieved remarkable milestones, Soneye added, noting that these successes were driven by professionalism and competence rather than tribal or religious affiliations.

“These accomplishments include groundbreaking advancements in exploration, production, and global partnerships that were previously thought unattainable,” Soneye stated. “This success underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence.”