Bayo Ojulari: The portrait and travails of a reformer

BY OTUEKONG IDONGESIT BASSEY

Even when it is now called the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, after the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, of 2021, if that agency coughs, the whole nation will likely catch cold. That is how strategic the oil and gas sector is to Nigerians’ daily lives that citizens also develop keen interest in who becomes the head of that agency. It is not only a powerful position, it is one which consistently subjects the occupier to public scrutiny.

It could be recalled that the NNPC-L is now fully owned hundred percent by the government with 50 per cent ownership by Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the remaining 50 per cent Ministry of Petroleum Resources Incorporated. Therefore, the leadership of the company is one of the key political appointments to be made by the President. The President also has to get that appointment right in order to drive any policy change he intends to drive in the oil and gas sector.

Only a few would have questioned the appointment of Bashir Bayo Ojulari by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu named Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, of the conglomerate in April this year, not a few might has asked where he (Ojulari) was coming from. But that could only have come from ‘oil and gas industry illiterates’. Ojuari, until his appointment was an institution and a brand in the industry having put over 36 years in the industry.

Ojulari is an internationally trained Nigerian expert in petroleum process and production engineering. He is one Nigerian whose impact in the oil and gas industry is not only monumental, but also transformative. Unfortunately, this might not have been noticed by the larger public since he was operating, largely, in the private sector of the oil and gas industry. Let’s check it out. Ojulari started his career in Elf Petroleum Nigeria in 1989 and later joined Shell in 1991. He then spent three decades in Shell and retired in 2021 after serving as the Managing Director of one of Shell’s company in Nigeria called Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited.

While this might have been known to the public, the strides Ojulari has recorded in the NNPC-L in the last four months have been monumental. The positive events and transformations that have taken place in NNPC in the last four months since his appointment have further proven beyond doubt, that indeed Ojulari is a brand name in the global oil and gas industry.

One credit that should not be denied this dude is the fact that he has changed the commercial focus of the NNPC-L driven by a vision of gaining global attention for service delivery and profitability. The steps that Ojulari and his management team (the Executive Vice Presidents) have taken in the last 100 days point to that giant performing strides and managerial acumen of Bayo Ojulari. His leadership is driven with passion to see a better NNPC woven in excellence, integrity, and patriotism. Upon assumption of office, he took a bold step to install a performance-based management system, making it clear to all that there is a paradigm shift in the management of NNPC Limited. From day one, his statement was clear that he is committed to a people-first culture in the workplace and less than 100 days in office, Ojulari audaciously demonstrated and proven beyond doubt that he is committed to a people-first culture in the workplace. He has worked collaboratively, with the two labour unions in the oil and gas industry and through the instrumentality of negotiations, he was able to fix some teething working condition issues in NNPC. Every NNPC staff can attest to the veracity of this.

In fact, Ojuari has prioritised staff welfare to the extent that he has improved working conditions that were hitherto unprecedented in the history of the NNPC. And he did this by blocking wastages and diverting the gains into improving staff welfare. It is, therefore, not surprising that Ojulari’s leadership and managerial acumen has ushered in a wave of transformative progress in NNPC, reinvigorating the organisation and reaffirming confidence in NNPC Limited’s strategic direction.

Perhaps, it is pertinent at this point to take a look at some of the key areas Ojulari has changed the fortunes of the oil and gas giant.

⁠Record Production Volume Milestone of NNPC E & P Limited

For the first time in the history of NNPC, there is a very significant increase and a quantum leap in the production volume of NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NNPC E & P). NNPC E & P is a NNPC 100% owned exploration and production company based in Benin City, which is fully engaged in direct exploration and production. As at 2nd of April when Ojulari took office, the company was struggling to produce about 250,000 barrels per day. Today, the Company is currently producing an unprecedented 330,000 barrels per day. This is above 300,000 barrels per day benchmark. This stands as the highest ever in the company’s history and marks a bold step forward in crude oil production and national development. This is only achievable because of the strategy that Ojulari and his team deployed. Ojulari’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and development-oriented work environment has not only promoted increased productivity but has also boosted the morale of the workforce across all NNPC work strata.

Optimization of Contracts and Contracting Process

One of the major issues challenging the progress of NNPC is the issues of emplacing commercial contracts with zero value addition to the bottom line of NNPC’s business operations.  Some of these contracts are emplaced just as a pay package to appease one god-father or to settle certain vested interests. These are contracts that are given without any regard for business considerations and groing concern of the company. Yet NNPC-L is expected to operate as a commercial entity and report profits and pay dividend to government. The truth is that, so far the steps taken by Ojulari  and his team to stem the tide of these kinds of contracts are ‘too drastic’.

And perhaps, that was where his problems started. To many people, he is not a politician and that was why he was ‘too much in a hurry’ to make an impact and in doing this, he might have stepped on some powerful toes. One of the areas Ojulari might have wronged some of these vested interests was his contract optimisation approach which dictated that that NNPC would only retain contracts that add value to its business bottom line. In other words, if the contract is not helping NNPC to avoid cost, and it’s not increasing production or revenue or it’s not increasing capacity and viability, then such contract is dropped. This stance is not going down well with most people in the corridors of power who used to feed fat from zero value adding contracts at the expense of the Nigerian people.

Strategic Restructuring for Operational Efficiency

In the last 100 days, Ojulari and his team drove some kind of internal manning resourcing reforms, brokered some strategic business realignments and have enhanced NNPC’s organisational agility, efficiency, and responsiveness. This kind of reforms will always go the way that some persons may not like. Some of the implications of these reforms are offensive to most people in corridors of power who will prefer that mediocrity and inefficiency continue to prevail.

Strong Emphasis on Transparency and Accountability

Ojulari’s first remark in the first town hall meeting that he had with entire staff members of NNPC is that he places strong emphasis on due process, transparency and accountability. This avowed commitment to transparency and accountability has revitalised trust within and beyond the NNPC. This is particularly evident in the modes of business operations and it has enhanced the credibility.

Company cultural Transformation Through Engagement

Ojulari’s leadership has driven a much-needed cultural shift characterised by open communication, inclusive town halls, and deeper engagement with staff at all levels. This has fostered a more connected and purpose-driven workforce. Ojulari’s dynamic and people-centered leadership has reignited a sense of ownership, pride, and optimism across the organisation. We are confident that under your stewardship, NNPC Limited will achieve even greater milestones, solidify its role in Nigeria’s energy future, and make enduring contributions to national economic prosperity.

It is good to state at this juncture that it is in the best interest of NNPC and Nigeria that people like Ojulari should be allowed to lead NNPC at this point in time. Ojulari’s appointment is a blessing to NNPC and Nigeria. We therefore call on the Commander-in-chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid listening to enemies of Nigeria who are looking for ways to bring Ojulari down. Mr President, recall that you once described Bayo Ojulari’s appointment as a round peg in a round hole. You are right. But know also that detractors and some political jobbers are out to discredit you also by pressurising you to change the leadership of NNPC. This change is not necessary.

Absolutely unnecessary.

Bassey, an NNPC-L insider, wrote in from Port-Harcourt.