The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has revealed that the national oil company is facing serious resistance from forces opposed to its ongoing transformation.
Ojulari made the disclosure on Thursday while hosting the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.
According to him, change in the oil and gas sector comes with a price.
He stressed that the management of NNPCL will not bow to pressure from individuals or groups determined to derail the reforms.
“We are under attack. We will not budge to short-term pressure, as it will not be in the best interest of Nigerians.
You cannot drive change without a price, and the transformation is tough,” Ojulari said in a statement shared on NNPCL’s official Facebook page.
The NNPCL boss explained that in the five months since he assumed office, his main focus has been reviving Nigeria’s refineries using the Incorporated Joint Venture (IJV) model.
He insisted that the approach would ensure sustainable refinery operations instead of temporary, expensive fixes.
Ojulari also clarified that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had never pressured him to compromise standards.
He emphasized that the new strategy was built on strong foundations that would guarantee long-term refinery performance.
“Mr. President doesn’t pressure me to do the wrong thing. That is why we are looking at the baseline to ensure that whatever we are doing, the refineries work sustainably going forward,” he added.
The NNPCL chief appealed for patience, noting that transformation of such magnitude would take time.
He assured union leaders that despite resistance, the company would remain resilient in its mission to secure energy stability for Nigerians.
On his part, PENGASSAN’s President, Festus Osifo, commended the company’s management for its collaborative approach during the 2025 PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja.
Osifo praised Ojulari’s leadership, particularly improvements in crude oil production and significant reductions in oil theft.
He also highlighted that pipelines across the country had resumed operations with fewer disruptions.
“Our pipelines are now working. Also, crude oil theft has significantly reduced, leading to increased production. As PENGASSAN, we assure you that we are solidly behind you. We will work with you and collaborate with your team to ensure the stability of the system for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Osifo declared.
Ojulari’s comments come at a time when the energy sector faces both domestic and international pressure to meet production targets, revive moribund refineries, and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
With his bold stance and the backing of industry unions, the NNPCL chief signaled a clear message: the oil giant will not back down in its quest to deliver sustainable reforms for Nigeria’s energy future.