The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has seen various leaders at its helm since its inception in 1977.
Over the decades, these individuals have steered the country’s state-run oil company through significant transformations and challenges.
From the early days of the organisation to the present leadership under Engineer Bashir Ojulari, New Daily Prime has compiled a comprehensive list of NNPCL leadership over the years.
1. R. A. Marinho (July 1977 – April 1980)
R. A. Marinho was the first person to serve as the head of NNPCL following its establishment in 1977, laying the foundation for the company’s operational structures.
2. Odiligi Lolomari (April 1980 – August 1981)
Odiligi Lolomari took over shortly after Marinho, steering the corporation through its formative years in the Nigerian oil sector.
3. Lawrence Amu (October 1981 – November 1985)
Lawrence Amu led the NNPCL through the early 1980s, a period marked by continued oil exploration and growing industry demands.
4. Aret Adams (November 1985 – April 1990)
Under Aret Adams, NNPCL worked on enhancing its production capacity and expanding its international footprint, helping Nigeria solidify its place in the global oil market.
5. Dr. Thomas John (April 1990 – June 1990)
Dr. Thomas John had a brief tenure, serving for only two months, but he was pivotal in overseeing key decisions before the next leadership transition.
6. Edmund Daukoru (June 1992 – October 1993)
Edmund Daukoru’s leadership was marked by efforts to modernise and expand Nigeria’s petroleum industry infrastructure during the early 1990s.
7. Chamberlin Oyibo (November 1993 – August 1995)
Chamberlin Oyibo’s leadership coincided with a period of political unrest in Nigeria, yet NNPCL continued to play a significant role in global oil production.
8. Dalhatu Bayero (August 1995 – May 1999)
Dalhatu Bayero’s tenure saw the strengthening of the NNPCL’s financial and operational capacities, expanding the corporation’s international relationships and refining its internal processes.
9. Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki (May 1999 – November 2003)
Dr. Gaius-Obaseki’s leadership occurred during a crucial phase of modernisation, with significant developments in Nigeria’s oil and gas policies.
10. Funsho Kupolokun (November 2003 – September 2007)
Funsho Kupolokun worked on refining NNPCL’s role in the global energy market and was an advocate for new policies that focused on maximising Nigeria’s resource potential.
11. Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua (September 2007 – January 2009)
Serving as the head during a turbulent period, Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua’s leadership was crucial in navigating the challenges posed by fluctuating oil prices and global market uncertainties.
12. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo (January 2009 – April 2010)
Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo’s leadership was notable for its focus on global oil industry dynamics and the pursuit of a balanced energy strategy for Nigeria.
13. Shehu Ladan (April 2010 – May 2010)
Shehu Ladan served briefly as the head of NNPCL, overseeing the corporation during a period of transition before the appointment of a new long-term leader.
14. Augustine O. Oniwon (May 2010 – June 2012)
Augustine Oniwon’s tenure saw substantial advancements in NNPCL’s internal restructuring efforts and strategic alignment with Nigeria’s national development goals.
15. Andrew Yakubu (June 2012 – August 2014)
Andrew Yakubu was tasked with ensuring the efficiency and competitiveness of NNPCL, focusing on both upstream and downstream operations in Nigeria’s oil industry.
16. Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha (August 2014 – August 2015)
Dr. Dawha’s leadership aimed to push for significant reforms in the oil sector, with a focus on boosting Nigeria’s oil reserves and enhancing refining capacity.
17. Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (August 2015 – July 2016)
Dr. Kachikwu was appointed in the midst of Nigeria’s challenging oil crisis, focusing on key reforms, including efforts to deregulate the downstream sector.
18. Dr. Maikanti Kachalla Baru (July 2016 – July 2019)
Dr. Baru served as NNPCL’s head during a period of extensive restructuring and growth, improving operational efficiency and implementing new strategies for the corporation’s global outreach.
19. Mele Kolo Kyari (July 2019 – April 2025)
Mele Kyari took over leadership in 2019, guiding NNPCL through significant shifts in the energy landscape, including Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner energy and ongoing market reforms.
20. Bashir Bayo Ojulari (April 2025 – Present)
Bashir Ojulari was appointed as the current Group CEO in April 2025 by President Bola Tinubu, with a mandate to lead the transformation of NNPCL into a more efficient, market-driven entity with an emphasis on gas commercialisation and local content development.
NNPCL has been at the centre of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for decades, and each leadership transition reflects the evolving challenges and ambitions of the country’s energy sector.
With the recent appointment of Ojulari, all eyes are now on how the new leadership will steer the company towards greater efficiency and innovation in the coming years.
