There are reports suggesting Bayo Ojulari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has stepped down from his position due to pressure from top security officials.
Ojulari was reportedly confronted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman and the State Security Service (SSS) Director-General on Friday.
Sources according to the Peoples Gazette, claim Ojulari was questioned about possible links to Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman with influence in the Tinubu administration. Ojulari allegedly denied knowing Ayinde.
Ojulari was appointed by President Tinubu in April, bringing his expertise in hydrocarbons from his tenure as a senior executive at Shell Nigeria.
The NNPCL chief faced criticism for approving a company delegation’s trip to an oil and gas conference in Kigali, with reports suggesting it cost millions of dollars.
Ojulari dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, efforts to confirm the reports and obtain comments from Ojulari, the presidency, the SSS, and the EFCC have been unsuccessful.