President Bola Tinubu has called on the newly inaugurated board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to consolidate the progress made under his ongoing economic reforms, which have earned both domestic and international praise for enhancing Nigeria’s economic resilience and competitiveness.
Speaking at the State House on Thursday during the board’s inauguration, Tinubu emphasized that members were carefully selected for their reputation, industry experience, and resourcefulness, describing their appointment as a critical “call to duty.” He expressed confidence in their capacity to support the administration’s economic agenda, saying, “With your highly respected team, I can relax and attend to other issues.” He urged the board to look inward for sustainable solutions, especially in light of global economic volatility, and to ensure the NNPCL operates efficiently, competitively, and for the benefit of all Nigerians. “Explore all options for a win-win situation for Nigeria,” Tinubu advised.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the President for assembling what he called “the best team in Africa”, noting that expectations are high both locally and across the continent. Board Chairman Ahmadu Kida pledged that the board would uphold integrity, leadership, and courage to deliver on Tinubu’s mandate.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, shared updates on operational improvements, reporting that oil production has increased from 1.5 million to 1.7 million barrels per day, with a target of 1.9 million by year-end. He highlighted ongoing refinery maintenance efforts and stressed that NNPCL would run as a business-driven entity, committed to delivering on promises and attracting foreign direct investment in alignment with Tinubu’s reform strategy.
