President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his bold leadership in transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly through the strategic appointments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
Dangote lauded the President for assembling what he described as a “formidable and professionally competent team,” highlighting the appointments of Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman of NNPC Ltd.
“I visited the President to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team that is eminently qualified to take NNPC Ltd to greater heights,” Dangote said.
He lauded the technical expertise and leadership experience of the newly appointed team, stressing that their capabilities are crucial to revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
“The new team, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the President’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector,” Dangote noted. “We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”
In response to media queries over the weekend regarding his recent comments about “fighting cabals” threatening his $20 billion refinery project, Dangote clarified that his remarks were not directed at the new leadership of NNPC Ltd. Instead, he pointed to entrenched interests among oil marketers and traders who, he said, were attempting to derail the President’s economic reform agenda.
“The new leadership of NNPC has so far been supportive in meeting the needs of our refinery,” he affirmed.
Dangote further noted that the recent structural reforms and renewed operational focus of NNPC Ltd signal a clear shift towards transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria’s energy sector, Dangote reaffirmed his group’s commitment to working alongside the government to realise the vision of a prosperous and energy-secure Nigeria.