By Funsho Arogundade
The late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul, once said: “Transparency increases credibility and accountability.” That, precisely, the legacy Olufemi Soneye is building at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) as its Chief Corporate Communications Officer. When Soneye was named the 2025 Spokesperson of the Year by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at its National Spokespersons Award in Abuja last week, discerning observers knew it wasn’t a fluke. It was a hotly contested award that saw Soneye rise above a formidable league of communications heavyweights brimming with elite professionals whose educational backgrounds, intellectual depth, and practical experience are second to none. At the ceremony held at Abuja Continental Hotel, Soneye also bagged the top honour with a win in the ‘Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas)’ category to make it his second consecutive win in that category, having clinched the 2024 edition.
A seasoned communicator with a global career footprint, Soneye has held influential editorial positions across Nigeria, Australia, and the United States, including a notable role as Editor of the U.S Air Force One Magazine at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, D.C. He also spent time in Washington’s lobbying and public relations circuit, experiences that prepared him well for his current role at NNPC Ltd.
Since assuming office in October 2023, Soneye has redefined the company’s approach to public communication. Under his leadership, NNPCL’s communications have become more accessible, proactive, and aligned with public concerns. By humanising the brand and fostering trust, Soneye has turned the communications division into a strategic powerhouse that drives stakeholder engagement and strengthens public confidence. The award stands as both recognition of Soneye’s leadership and a tribute to his trailblazing role in transforming NNPC’s public relations architecture.