NNPC leadership uncovers sabotage campaign by internal and external actors. New GCEO Bayo Ojulari vows transformation into a corruption-free firm will continue

NNPC leadership under the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, has raised the alarm over a coordinated sabotage campaign allegedly orchestrated by internal and external actors threatened by the company’s anti-corruption drive.

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In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited disclosed that a syndicate of known and faceless individuals is actively working to derail its transformation into a performance-driven, transparent energy institution.

The campaign reportedly includes the dissemination of fabricated stories aimed at discrediting the reform-minded leadership.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has uncovered an emerging coordinated sabotage campaign being waged by a syndicate of known and faceless actors, both outside and within various levels of the organisation,” the statement read.

“This group is actively spreading lies and misinformation simply to discredit NNPC Ltd’s leadership and derail the organisation’s ongoing transformation into a corruption-free, performance-driven energy company.”

Ojulari, who took over from Mele Kyari following his removal by President Bola Tinubu on 2 April 2025, has pledged to pursue deep institutional reforms. The company stated that resistance was expected from individuals opposed to transparency and accountability.

“Their tactics include planting scandalous and fabricated reports, curated to distract leadership, mislead the public, and undermine the commitment of our dedicated workforce and reform-minded Nigerians,” the statement added.

According to the NNPC, those behind the campaign are threatened by the firm’s new direction and are determined to obstruct efforts that align with the president’s anti-corruption vision.

Despite anticipating more defamatory content in the near future, the company insists that its mission remains unchanged. “We expect a surge of defamatory content in the days and weeks ahead. NNPC Ltd remains undeterred. The transformation is underway, and no amount of sabotage will stop it,” it assured.

The statement concluded by calling on staff, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public to remain focused and not be swayed by distractions. “We urge our dedicated staff, stakeholders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stay focused, ignore the noise and not be discouraged. We remain on a mission.”

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The NNPC is yet to appoint a new spokesperson following the recent resignation of Olufemi Soneye on Saturday, leaving the organisation’s media relations in transition amid these unfolding developments.