Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has again faulted the Rivers’ state of emergency.

Naija News reports that Obi said the political crisis in Rivers State did not require the action of a state of emergency.

In an interview with Arise News, on Tuesday, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party said even though he had issues with his successor, Willy Obiano, he allowed him to govern.

“You cannot take the action that has been taken in River State for what happened. There’s a clear path to dealing with that issue. River State, for the past two years, has become ungovernable for obvious political reasons and interests, which shouldn’t be in a democratic environment. It’s clear. It shouldn’t be. I have been a governor, and I have left government, had issues with the person that replaced me, with my successor.

“But, for God’s sake, the state is far more important than anybody. We have a governor who has been sworn in as a governor, he should be allowed to govern,” he said.

Responding to a question from the anchor, Charles, whether he subscribed to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi‘s allegation that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi stated that it was unfortunate.

He added that if that is what President Tinubu was trying to do, it showed the country has no democracy.

“Well, for me, what happened in the Rivers State is very unfortunate, and is impacting very negatively to the little or remaining democratic space we had. It eroded a lot from there. So, as for intimidating the governors for 2027, it shouldn’t be. The governors are going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election. You’re going to seek re-election based on what you’ve been able to do, your performance, on Nigerians. The governors just have one vote. It is because of what I told you that it is not a democratic country that you are trying to intimidate the governors,” he stated.

When Charles pressed further whether he believed the President’s action was to intimidate governors ahead of 2027, Obi responded, “I believe so. I believe so.”

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has said Peter Obi’s style of politics may not be enough to defeat President Bola Tinubu in an election.

Adeyanju stated this while responding to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party’s analyses of President Tinubu’s nearly two years in office, on Tuesday.

Naija News reported that Obi condemned the hardship in the country and also faulted the situation of Nigeria’s democracy under Tinubu.

On his ? handle on Wednesday, Adeyanju wrote: “Peter Obi is on Arise talking calmly and gently about Nigeria. Nigerians acting like they are not aware sef. In today’s Nigeria, Obi is only good for beautiful speeches and motivational beautiful stories about China, etc. Only extremely rugged folks can contest against Tinubu.”

Meanwhile, a former member of Peter Obi and Ahmed Datti’s presidential campaign organization, Fabian Onunaku has responded to criticism of Obi’s interview by Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.

Naija News reported that Bwala said the former Governor of Anambra’s analyses of Tinubu’s policies were lacking in facts. He added that Obi had yet to recover from his loss in 2023.

Reacting, Onunaku responded: “You can spin it all you want, but Peter Obi spoke about what the people feel and live every day. He spoke truth to power, something that even you will not understand, since you have swallowed your own vomit to become a defender of the indefensible. All the presidential spokesmen in the world cannot change that. Your employers might be happy with you for insulting Obi, but you can’t fool the Nigerian people. The more you insult him, the more his support base increases. You people have absolutely nothing to offer Nigerians.”

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal internet fraud training facility, known as a “Yahoo School,” in the Iju area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Tuesday, stated that four principal suspects were arrested alongside six trainees.

According to him, among the trainees was an underaged boy identified as Minachi Udochukwu.

Hundeyin noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects recruited the trainees from Anambra State, engaged them in internet fraud, and confiscated their earnings.

The statement read in part, “During the successful operations, the police detectives arrested four Yahoo experts who were running the notorious school, namely Chibuike Ihejika, 23; Stanley Ihejika, 22; Obiora Oyediba, 26; and Emmanuel Oyedibe, 25.

“The other six suspects are their criminal trainees, all of whom were undergoing training in cybercrime and fraud: Okorie Henry, Otoh Chisom, 20; Okeke Kwufrochikwu, 26; Uchenna Obeji, 26; Minachi Udochukwu, 12; and Chinedu Ukachukwu, 23.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspects of the facility recruited their trainees from Anambra State, engaged them to commit internet fraud and other related crimes.

“The proceeds from their fraudulent activities were being confiscated by the principal suspects.”

While the command warned the owner of the facility to turn himself in at the State Criminal Investigation Department, it assured all that all suspects would be charged to court for prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation into the case.

The statement further revealed that Ugochukwu had been provided with medical care after healing marks of injury believed to have been sustained during the training was found on his body

“In line with due process of the law, the underage suspect among them, Minachi Ugochukwu, 12 years old, with healing marks of injuries on his body allegedly inflicted on him by the main principal suspect to compel him into the commission of the criminal acts, is being given medical attention and kept in protective custody till his relatives are identified and reunited with him,” Hundeyin stated.

The command also warned parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards to prevent them from being exploited, lured, or compelled into falling into criminal activities.

It, however, called on members of the public who have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of the criminal syndicate to come forward to the SCID, Yaba, with their complaints.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, also commends the police personnel involved in this operation for their dedication and professionalism that resulted in this success.

“The CP Jimoh assures all Lagosians that the Command remains resolute and committed to combating all forms of crimes and criminalities, including cybercrime tagged ‘yahoo,’ etc.

“He urges residents to report every suspicious activity or incident to the police in their localities for prompt action,” the statement added.

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has praised the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, acknowledging his sterling leadership qualities, deep understanding of Islamic principles, and contemporary perspectives.

Yusuf, while receiving the Emir and his entourage on the traditional Hauwa Nassarawa homage at the Government House on Tuesday, stated that Sanusi’s return to the palace was a result of his exceptional leadership skills and commitment to the welfare of the people.

“Since he came, he has been leading us in prayers, unlike many Emirs. When we look at formal education, he has all it takes to be everywhere. An emir who loves his people,” Yusuf said.

The Governor further emphasized that Sanusi, since his reinstatement, has worked diligently to unite the emirate council and various Islamic sects, while also leading efforts against social vices in Kano. This, Yusuf highlighted, demonstrates Sanusi’s multifaceted leadership approach, combining traditional wisdom with a commitment to modern social challenges.

Governor Yusuf used the occasion to spotlight his administration’s developmental projects and reaffirmed his goal of transforming Kano into a mega city.

He mentioned that his efforts are not only focused on infrastructure but are also aimed at ensuring that local government administration aligns with the needs of the grassroots to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach all corners of the state.

“The impact of our developmental projects is becoming visible, and we are extending similar efforts to the local governments to ensure that every citizen enjoys the benefits of governance,” Yusuf added.

Emir Sanusi II Commends The Government For Reinstatement

Emir Sanusi II, in his address, expressed his gratitude to the government and the state House of Assembly for reinstating him to the throne.

He praised the state for its remarkable strides in human development, noting that the progress in education, infrastructure, and healthcare under Governor Yusuf’s leadership is commendable.

The Emir also urged local government chairmen to step up their efforts to improve living conditions at the grassroots, ensuring that the benefits of governance reach the most underserved communities.

“The local government chairmen must intensify their efforts towards ensuring better living conditions for the people,” Sanusi said.

In keeping with tradition, Emir Sanusi II participated in the 1903 traditional Hauwa Nassarawa homage, a highly regarded cultural practice.

However, due to the security concerns surrounding large public gatherings, Naija News reports that the Emir chose not to participate in the usual horse procession, opting instead to travel in a vehicle convoy to the Government House.

Sanusi also made a conscious decision to avoid the regular state road routes to the Government House, further ensuring the security of his movement and avoiding any potential conflicts.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday approved the appointment of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), replacing Mallam Mele Kyari.

The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the NNPCL board, which also saw the removal of Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and all other board members appointed in November 2023.

The NNPC is a government-owned oil Company that was established in 1977.
Notably, 20 individuals have headed the organisation since inception in the capacity of group managing director.

See all NNPC’s MD from inception to date:

1. Bashir Bayo Ojulari (2025-present)

Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector to his new role.

Until his appointment, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Under his leadership, Renaissance spearheaded a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) through a consortium of indigenous energy firms.

Ojulari is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He began his career with Elf Aquitaine, where he was the first Nigerian process engineer, and later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991.

2. Mele Kyari (2019-2025)

Mele Kyari is a Nigerian geologist, crude oil marketer, and the first group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. Before this appointment, Kyari was the group general manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of the NNPC and the Nigerian National Representative at the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 2018.

3. Maikanti Baru (2016-2019)

He was a Nigerian engineer, crude oil marketer, and the 18th Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He served in this position from July 2016 to July 2019 and had previously served as the Group General Manager (GGM) of National Petroleum Investment Management Services. Maikanti Baru was a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

4. Ibe Kachikwu (2015-2016)

Ibe Kachikwu is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

5. Joseph Thlama Dawha (2014-2015)

He was appointed as The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation by President Goodluck Jonathan, serving from August 2014 to August 2015. Prior to his appointment, he was the Group Executive Director of Exploration and Production of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

6. Andrew Yakubu (2012-2014)

He served as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation from 2012-2014. He was appointed by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2012. However, he and the Management team were relieved of their appointments to strengthen the reforms of NNPC by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in July 2014 and Joseph Dawha was named his successor in August 2014.

7. Augustine O. Oniwon (2010-2012)

Augustine Oniwon is a Harvard and Oxford-educated engineer who joined NNPC in 1977 and became the head of planning at the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company in 1987. Oniwon then served as technical assistant to the downstream department’s Group Executives Director (1988-91), before serving as head of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company’s Engineering and Technical Services Department (ETSD) in 1991 to 1992. Following this, he was appointed head of NNPC’s New Business Development, Corporate Planning and Development Division, until moving to become head of ETSD at Port Harcourt Refinery between 1993 to 1999.

8. Shenu Ladan (2010)

He was a Nigerian lawyer, philanthropist, and oil and gas management strategist at Kaduna State. He served as the group managing director of NNPC in 2010.

9. Muhammed Barkindo (2009-2010)

He was the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2006. He helped to create an alliance between OPEC members and other oil-producing countries.

He led the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as the Group Managing Director from 2009 to 2010, and headed Nigeria’s technical delegation to UN climate negotiations beginning in 1991

10. Abubakar Yar’Adua (2007-2009)

Abubakar Yar’adua was the former Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the late former president, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua between 2007 and 2009. Yar’Adua, according to the investigation, never worked anywhere outside the NNPC. He joined the corporation as a corps member at the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) in 1976. He declared that there will be zero tolerance for corruption during his tenure.

11. Funsho Kupolokun (2003-2007)

Engineer Kupolokun holds a first degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos where he studied as a Shell scholar, and an honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He worked briefly with Shell BP before joining the Nigeria National Oil Corporation now the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He occupied various strategic roles within NNPC, including Head of Special Projects in the NNPC JV, Head of the Petroleum Engineering Department, Group General Manager, Head of NNPC’s London office and Group Executive Director, Commercial & Investment (at the time, the youngest person to serve on the NNPC Group Board).

He was appointed Special Assistant to the President on Petroleum Matters in 1999 and soon after that, he became the Group Managing Director of NNPC in 2003; a position he held till 2007.

12. Jackson G. Obaseki (1999-2003)

Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki is an energy technocrat and reformer with many landmark contributions to Nigeria’s and the global oil and gas industry. He served as NNPC’s GMD from 1999 to 2003. He had served in different positions before his most deserving appointment. He demonstrated a strong commitment to the making of policies and incentives, including the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which metamorphosed into the current Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

13. Dalhatu Bayero (1995-1999)

He served as the Group Managing Director of NNPC between 1995-1999. He was a younger brother to the former Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Ado Bayero.

14. Chamberlain Oyibo (1993-1995)

Chief Chamberlain Oruwari Oyibo is a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He was the 10th GMD of NNPC and served for two years from 1993 until his retirement in 1995.

15. Edmund Daukoru (1992-1993)

Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru is a former Nigerian Minister of State for Energy and was Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2006. He obtained a PhD in Geology from Imperial College, London.

He worked with Shell International Petroleum Company from 1970, where he rose from Chief Geologist to General Manager of Exploration in Nigeria. In 1992, he became Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

16. Thomas John (April 1990-June 1992)

Dr. John was the fifth Group Managing Director of NNPC, succeeding the late Dr. Aret Adams from April 1990 to June 1992. Also, he was a non-executive director of South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), executive Chairman of Hydropec Engineering Services Ltd., and former Non-Executive Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc., among other positions.

17. Aret Adams (1985-1990)

During his time as the Managing Director of NNPC between 1985-1990, Aret Adams introduced a group structure and merit system into the management and transformed the organisation into a mega National Corporation, able to compete globally.

18. Lawrence Amu (1981-1985)

He obtained a B.S.C in Engineering from The Imperial College of Science & Technology in 1960. In August 1981, he was announced as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) while he was in Canada, finalising the final engineering designs of the 6 x 230 MW Egbin Power Station. He never applied for this role.

19. Odoliyi Lolomari (1980-1981)

Chief Odoliyi Lolomari served as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria’s OPEC representative. He has over 50 years experience in the petroleum industry having served as the Chairman of Frontier Oil Limited, Founding Member of the Nigerian National Oil Company (NNOC), and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Also, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Petroleum, London and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of London and a Diploma in Oil Technology from the Imperial College (DIC), London.

20. Remilekun Marinho (1977-1980)

Armed with degrees from the University College, Ibadan and the Imperial College, London, Marinho joined the Hydrocarbons Section of Nigeria’s Ministry of Mines and Power and Lagos Affairs. He later became the pioneer and two-time Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (1977 – 1980 and 1984 – 1985)

Chief Marinho’s administration developed policies and practices in the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria, with initial production of about 50,000 barrels a day to its established potential of more than 2.5 million barrels at the time of his retirement.

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has warned government officials against the ‘get rich quick’ syndrome.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday when he hosted the state Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, who led a delegation of government officials to him on a Sallah homage in Gudi, Akwanga local government area.

He urged the government officials to join him in building the state.

“What I have noticed over and over is that people look for this quick money to come and they take the money and it doesn’t benefit them in any way whatsoever.

”The sad thing is for somebody to accumulate illegal wealth and then die. People don’t even know where the money is hidden,” he said.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to institutionalising policies and projects that would outlive his tenure.

Sule emphasised that he is taking every measure to ensure that investors coming into the state are protected even after he leaves office in 2027.

“We are doing everything to ensure that we protect some of the investors that are coming by putting some legal instruments that would protect investments.

”It is one of the reasons why the investors are showing interest to invest in the state,” he said.

The delegation was made up of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, as well as heads of agencies, departments and parastatals.

The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the governance system in Nigeria, submitting that the government is not working for the people.

In an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, Obi insisted that Nigeria is not a democratic country.

The former Anambra State Governor submitted that it is simply a lie to describe what Nigeria is operating as democracy, stating that the country lacks the tenets and yardsticks of measuring democracy.

Naija News reports he lamented that the citizens are not getting any benefit from the government and their votes are not allowed to count at the polls.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy had been progressing since 1999 but is now suffering a collapse under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“I have said it, and I maintain that there is no democracy in Nigeria today. Nigeria today is not a democratic country. Let’s stop telling ourselves lies. If you look at all the tenets and yardsticks measuring democracy, it doesn’t exist here.

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Today, the government we have is not of the people.

“It is not by the people because the people didn’t vote. It wasn’t their votes. I’m not just talking about the presidency; it’s across the line. Look at what happened in Edo. Can you call that democracy?

“It is not the vote of the people. And it is not for the people. I have just told you that I went to an IDP camp where we have thousands of people. No primary health care.

“They were begging me to have one nurse, which I said I must make sure they have. They don’t even have a primary school, which again I have told them I will make sure it happens,” Obi said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), replacing Mallam Mele Kyari.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the NNPCL board, which also saw the removal of Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure and all other board members appointed in November 2023.

The newly reconstituted 11-member board features Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman, alongside Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO.

Adedapo Segun, who succeeded Umaru Isa Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) last year, has been retained as a member of the new board.

The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones:

North West: Bello Rabiu
North East: Yusuf Usman
North Central: Babs Omotowa, former MD of Nigeria LNG
South South: Austin Avuru
South West: David Ige
South East: Henry Obih
Additionally, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the Ministry of Finance, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

All appointments take effect from April 2, 2025.

Who is Bayo Ojulari?

Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector to his new role.

Until his appointment, he served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Under his leadership, Renaissance spearheaded a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) through a consortium of indigenous energy firms.

Ojulari is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He began his career with Elf Aquitaine, where he was the first Nigerian process engineer, and later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991.

His international experience spans Europe and the Middle East, where he worked in various technical and leadership roles including strategic planner, asset manager, field developer, and production engineer.

In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

Ojulari has also served as Chairman and Board Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Smokers are being urged to kick the habit for 2025 after a fresh assessment of the harms of cigarettes found they shorten life expectancy even more than doctors thought.

Researchers at University College London found that on average a single cigarette takes about 20 minutes off a person’s life, meaning that a typical pack of 20 cigarettes can shorten a person’s life by nearly seven hours.

According to the analysis, if a smoker on 10 cigarettes a day quits on 1 January, they could prevent the loss of a full day of life by 8 January. They could boost their life expectancy by a week if they quit until 5 February and a whole month if they stop until 5 August. By the end of the year, they could have avoided losing 50 days of life, the assessment found.

“People generally know that smoking is harmful but tend to underestimate just how much,” said Dr Sarah Jackson, a principal research fellow at UCL’s alcohol and tobacco research group. “On average, smokers who don’t quit lose around a decade of life. That’s 10 years of precious time, life moments, and milestones with loved ones.”

Smoking is one of the world’s leading preventable causes of disease and death, killing up to two-thirds of long-term users. It causes about 80,000 deaths a year in the UK and a quarter of all cancer deaths in England.

The study, commissioned by the Department of Health, draws on the latest data from the British Doctors Study, which began in 1951 as one of the world’s first large studies into the effects of smoking, and the Million Women Study, which has tracked women’s health since 1996.

While an earlier assessment in the BMJ in 2000 found that on average a single cigarette reduced life expectancy by about 11 minutes, the latest analysis published in the Journal of Addictionnearly doubles the figure to 20 minutes – 17 minutes for men and 22 minutes for women.

“Some people might think they don’t mind missing out on a few years of life, given that old age is often marked by chronic illness or disability. But smoking doesn’t cut short the unhealthy period at the end of life,” Jackson told the Guardian. “It primarily eats into the relatively healthy years in midlife, bringing forward the onset of ill-health. This means a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.”

Although some smokers live long lives, others develop smoking-related diseases and even die from them in their 40s. The variation is driven by differences in smoking habits such as the type of cigarette used, the number of puffs taken and how deeply smokers inhale. People also differ in how susceptible they are to the toxic substances in cigarette smoke.

The authors stress that smokers must quit completely to get the full benefits to health and life expectancy. Previous work has shown there is no safe level of smoking: the risk of heart disease and stroke is only about 50% lower for people who smoke one cigarette a day compared with those who smoke 20 a day. “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial, but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be,” they write.

The Department of Health said smokers could find advice, support and resources on the NHS Quit Smoking app and the online Personal Quit Plan, which tailors its advice to individual’s preferences.

Prof Sanjay Agrawal, a special adviser on tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy. This research is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.”

The Guardian, UK

President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, removing Group CEO Mele Kyari and Chairman Pius Akinyelure alongside all other directors appointed in November 2023.

A new 11-member board was announced early Wednesday, with Bashir Bayo Ojulari taking over as Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the new non-executive chairman. The changes, effective immediately, come as part of Tinubu’s push to “enhance efficiency, attract investment, and drive gas commercialisation”.

New Board Composition

The reshuffle introduces fresh faces, including:

- Adedapo Segun (Chief Financial Officer, retained from previous board)

- Bello Rabiu (North West),

• Yusuf Usman (North East),
• Babs Omotowa (North Central)

- Austin Avuru (South-South) -David Ige (South West)

-Henry Obih (South East)

- Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya (Federal Ministry of Finance)

- Aminu Said Ahmed (Ministry of Petroleum Resources)

Immediate Mandate: Strategic Review & Value Maximisation

Invoking his powers under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), Tinubu directed the new board to conduct an urgent review of NNPC’s assets and joint ventures to ensure optimal performance and profitability.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who announced the changes via X, stated that the overhaul aims to restore investor confidence, boost local content, and accelerate Nigeria’s energy transition."