From Shell to NNPCL: Profile of Bashir Ojulari

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), effective April 2, 2025.

The announcement marks a significant shift in the leadership of Nigeria’s foremost oil and gas company, as Ojulari takes over from Mele Kyari, who was relieved of his position.

Here’s a brief profile of the new NNPCL Boss

Background

Bashir Bayo Ojulari hails from Kwara State, Nigeria. He earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1989, laying a strong foundation for his remarkable career in the energy sector.

Career journey

Ojulari began his career at Elf Aquitaine in 1989 as a Fields and Process Engineer, becoming the first Nigerian process engineer in the company.

In 1991, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) as an Associate Production Technologist.

His expertise soon took him to Shell’s headquarters in the Netherlands, where he served as a member of the Integrated Studies Team from 1994 to 1995.

Throughout his career, Ojulari held several pivotal roles, including Head of Planning, Economics, and Budgeting at SPDC Nigeria from 1997 to 1999.

He later became the Asset Leader and Head Production Technologist at Shell Oman (1999–2003) and then the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Planner at Shell headquarters from 2003 to 2004.

From 2005 to 2008, Ojulari was Manager of Corporate Planning and Strategy at SPDC Nigeria, briefly serving as an Asset Production Technologist in 2007.

He continued to advance within Shell, taking on the role of Manager, Asset Development (Onshore and Shallow Water), from 2008 to 2010, and later as Development Director at SPDC Nigeria from 2010 to 2015.

In November 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a position he held until July 2021.

During his tenure, he oversaw onshore and offshore petroleum engineering, technical integration, well engineering, and project management.

Post-Shell career and recent leadership

Following his time at Shell, Ojulari founded the BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd in 2021, where he served as Board Chairman.

In January 2024, he became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company.

Under his leadership, Renaissance Africa led a consortium of indigenous energy firms to acquire Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria for $2.4 billion—a landmark transaction in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Professional affiliations and achievements

Ojulari is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and served on the Board of Trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigeria Council) from 1998 to 1999.

His experience in managing high-value energy assets and his commitment to industry innovation have earned him respect within the oil and gas sector.

Appointment

Ojulari’s appointment as NNPCL’s GCEO comes at a crucial time when the company is restructuring under President Tinubu’s directive to enhance operational efficiency, boost investor confidence, and advance gas commercialisation and diversification.

With his vast experience and proven leadership, Ojulari is poised to steer NNPCL towards a more transparent and profitable future.