NNPC’s Soneye wins NIPR spokesperson of the year award

Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has been named the 2025 spokesperson of the year by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

The announcement was made during a ceremony held on Wednesday night in Abuja.

Soneye was celebrated for “transforming NNPC’s communications strategy and redefining the role of public engagement within the oil and gas sector”.

He clinched the award after emerging as the winner in the ‘Distinguished Spokesperson – Oil and Gas’ category for the second year running, ahead of industry veterans like Chinedu Ukadike of IPMAN and Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum.

He later topped the shortlist of finalists that featured Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward of NIMASA.

Soneye said the recognition reflects the collective effort of the communications team at NNPC.

“From the very beginning, I made a vow to be a transparent and professional spokesperson, committed to timely, accurate, and impactful communication,” he said.

“This recognition is not mine alone — it belongs to the exceptional team I work with everyday.”

Soneye, who was appointed to the role in October 2023, was hailed for leading a communications overhaul at NNPC — while focusing on transparency, crisis preparedness, and stakeholder engagement.

“Under his leadership, the company’s communications platforms have become more interactive, with the brand’s narrative shifting towards accessibility and national pride,” the citation reads.

“The NNPC belongs to all Nigerians,” Soneye said.

“We remain committed to keeping the public informed and involved as we ensure energy security for our nation.”

Presenting the award, Joshua Ghana, deputy chairman of the house of representatives committee on power, described Soneye as a trailblazer.

“Mr. Soneye has raised the bar for public communicators in Nigeria. His work at NNPC Ltd is exemplary,” he said.

Soneye dedicated the award to his team.

This is an AI-assisted report.