Mele Kyari’s henchmen fired in major restructuring at NNPC

In a significant restructuring of its management, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has terminated the services of a number of senior staff members, TheCable understands.

Among those departing immediately are Bala Wunti, former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery.

Also asked to leave was Lawal Sade, the chief compliance officer and former managing director of NNPC Trading.

They are believed to be very close to Mele Kyari, who was removed as group chief executive officer (GCEO) on April 2, 2025.

TheCable understands that over 200 employees have been impacted, marking the beginning of what may be a series of staff changes.

This restructuring has resulted in an increased representation of women in senior leadership roles, including the appointment of Maryam Idrisu as managing director of NNPC Trading — responsible for all crude oil transactions — and Obioma Abangwu as chief liaison officer for board matters.

TheCable further understands that the changes have been positively received by the staff.

The directors were sacked four weeks after Bayo Ojulari took over from Kyari.

Three days after he assumed office, NNPC appointed an eight-member senior management team.