Unions representing workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) have warned the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, not to recruit outsiders into top management positions.
The unions—NUPENG and PENGASSAN—issued the warning in a strongly worded letter, threatening to shut down operations if executive vice president, deputy manager, and manager roles are filled with external candidates.
The letter, with reference number PEN/NUP.GEC.SEC. 04/25/04.2, was sent to the NNPC’s Chief Human Resource Officer and signed by union executives:
- Amaoge Chukwudi (PENGASSAN Secretary)
- Paulosa O. Paulosa (NUPENG Secretary)
- Solomon Orieji (PENGASSAN Chairman)
- Baba Kaumi (NUPENG Chairman)
In the letter, the unions congratulated Ojulari and the newly appointed board members by President Bola Tinubu but quickly raised concerns about repeating past mistakes.
“Each time a new GCEO is appointed, we observe a pattern where outsiders are brought in to occupy senior roles,” they said. “We will not accept this trend.”
The unions argue that NNPC is home to thousands of experienced professionals who deserve career advancement. Bringing in outsiders, they say, would block internal promotions, lower morale, and destabilise industrial harmony.
“Our members have given quality years to this company. Overlooking them is not only unjust but wasteful,” the statement added.
Union leaders insisted that ignoring this warning could trigger industrial unrest
“If this warning is ignored, we cannot guarantee the continuation of industrial harmony within NNPC Limited,” they warned.
The union’s position comes as Ojulari assumes office following President Tinubu’s decision to sack Mele Kyari and appoint a new management team.
