By Charles Pemu ABUJA — A protest by a large group of youths from the Niger Delta region on Wednesday, demanding the immediate removal of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, is being viewed by many as a politically motivated action. The demonstration, which saw protesters barricade the company’s headquarters, is believed to be instigated by a certain faction from the Gbaramatu Kingdom in an effort to influence the renewal of a major pipeline surveillance contract.
Sources within the oil sector indicate that the protest is not a reflection of widespread discontent but rather a response to the new CEO’s efforts to enforce greater discipline, sanity, and credibility within the institution. These actions are reportedly not in favour of the ex-militant faction that holds the lucrative contract, which they are accused of using to facilitate illegal oil bunkering, land grabbing, and the oppression of various communities across the Niger Delta region.
A Pattern of Instigated Discontent
This event is not the first of its kind. The same group reportedly had no issues with the company’s previous leadership under Mele Kolo Kyari, who served as Group Chief Executive Officer from 2019 until April 2, 2025. It is alleged that the group resorts to similar actions whenever a new government appointee does not align with their interests in carrying out their contract activities. This tactic has reportedly been used against the leadership of other key oil and gas institutions, including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the leaders of the Upstream, Downstream, Gas and Power, and New Energy sectors.
While the protest is ongoing, many in the Niger Delta do not share the grievances of the protesting faction. Instead, they are appealing to the new NNPCL GCEO to ensure that the lives of the people communities are protected and that all contractual activities are conducted with integrity. The wider sentiment among the people is that the federal government should address these individuals to ensure order.