Major shakeup in NNPC, COO disengaged, spokesperson, others redeployed

The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has witnessed a major shakeup, as some key staff were promoted, some redeployed to fill vacant positions, and a chief operating officer was disengaged.

This was disclosed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru, via a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

According to the former spokesperson, Billy Okoye had been appointed the new Group Executive Director, Ventures and Business Development, while Aisha Ahmadu-Katagum, was promoted to the position of Group Executive Director, Corporate Services.

What NNPC is saying about the shakeup

“Until their new appointments, Mr Okoye and Mrs Ahmadu-Katagum were Group General Managers, Crude Oil Marketing Division and Supply Chain Management Division in the Corporation, respectively.

“Adeyemi Adetunji, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Business and Ventures Development, is now the Group Executive Director, Downstream, while Mohammed Ahmed, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Services, had now assumed the position of Group Executive Director, Gas and Power.

“Other Chief Operating Officer positions in the Corporation had now been re-designated as Group Executive Directors in alignment with the rules of Company and Allied Matters Act. The repositioning also saw the disengagement of Yusuf Usman, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power.”

The new appointments include that of Mr Garba-Deen Muhammad, who will take over from Dr Kennie Obateru, as the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation.

Why it matters

This, according to a source, was preparatory to the new status of the corporation as a limited liability company, post-Petroleum Industry Bill.

The new appointments are expected to enable the corporation live up to the expectations of Nigerians and enable the corporation to achieve its vision of becoming a world-class energy company of choice