Presidency denies reports of forced resignation of NNPCL boss

|By Adejumo Adekunle

EFCC, DSS not involved, says Sunday Dare
Clarifies Ojulari remains in office amid sabotage claims

The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, was compelled to resign his position under pressure from security agencies.

Sunday Dare, a presidential spokesperson, issued the clarification on Saturday, August 2, in a brief statement shared exclusively with the press.

According to him, “Not true,” — a direct response to claims that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) forced Ojulari to sign a resignation letter.

This denial follows an earlier statement released by NNPCL on June 27, 2025, which warned of an alleged plot to undermine the state-owned company’s new management. The firm had raised concerns about what it described as calculated attempts to destabilize its leadership and ongoing reforms.

Ojulari was appointed as Group CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 2, 2025, following the removal of his predecessor, Mele Kyari. Since assuming office, Ojulari has overseen a number of reforms aimed at enhancing operational transparency and efficiency in the oil giant.

The Presidency’s latest clarification seeks to reaffirm confidence in Ojulari’s leadership and dispel speculations surrounding his position.