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By Tracy Moses
The controversy surrounding the alleged resignation and purported abduction of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, over the weekend has spotlighted serious flaws in the company’s public communication structure.
Recall that unverified reports across several online platforms had claimed that Ojulari resigned under unclear circumstances, triggering a wave of uncertainty and public speculation. However, the speculation was put to rest on Monday when Ojulari resumed work at the NNPC Towers in Abuja around 9:35 a.m., continuing his duties as normal.
Throughout the episode, NNPCL remained silent, failing to issue any formal clarification. This communication vacuum allowed misinformation to spread rapidly, underscoring the absence of a functioning public relations mechanism within the organization. Since the resignation of its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, on June 21, 2025, the company has neither named a replacement nor designated an interim spokesperson.
Efforts by journalists to verify the situation were met with silence. Calls, text messages, and WhatsApp inquiries to senior officials went unanswered during the weekend. Employees refused to speak on the matter, citing lack of authority to comment.
Compounding the situation are new, stricter security protocols at the NNPC Towers that limit press access. Visitors are now required to present printed invitations and obtain advance clearance, yet even then, entry often depends on direct intervention by an internal staff member. With no media contact person available, reporters were left in the dark, relying solely on unofficial channels.
Ojulari, appointed by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025, during a major leadership overhaul, has kept a low profile since assuming office. His delay in appointing a replacement for Soneye has left the Corporate Communications Department directionless, heightening the risk of public relations mishandling.
An NNPCL insider who spoke to Pointblanknews.com on condition of anonymity described the situation as “disorderly,” warning that the company’s credibility is at stake.
“It’s troubling that a company as vital to Nigeria’s economy and energy sector is undergoing crucial reforms without a communications framework to inform the public,” the source said. “This incident should serve as a wake-up call.”
The source stressed that until a proper communications system is restored, similar episodes may continue to damage the company’s public image and distract from its operations. “The lack of clear messaging during this period of transition has left NNPCL exposed,” he said.