The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has inducted more than 1,000 young professionals into its workforce following the successful completion of a one-year internship, intensive training and performance evaluation programme.

The announcement was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bayo Ojulari, in a post shared on the company’s official social media platforms, where he described the development as a significant milestone for the national oil company.

Ojulari said the new employees earned their positions after undergoing a rigorous programme that combined practical internships, structured training and comprehensive performance assessments.

“Today marked a huge milestone for us as we officially deployed over 1,000 young professionals into NNPC Ltd after one year of internship, intensive training, and evaluation,” he said.

Ojulari said the recruitment exercise underscored NNPC Ltd’s commitment to merit-based employment, stressing that selection was based on competence rather than personal connections or background.

“Different paths, but the same door. And we opened it. That’s what NNPC Limited stands for today: not who you know or where you’re from, but what you can do,” he stated.

He explained that although the candidates initially received offer letters to join the internship programme, it was their performance throughout the one-year internship and evaluation period that earned them permanent deployment into the company’s workforce.

“Their offer letters got them in, but their work this past year kept them here. They proved themselves day after day, under real pressure, and that’s the standard we’re building. Talent. Hard work. Fairness,” he said.

Ojulari urged the newly deployed employees to contribute innovative ideas, speak up with confidence and take ownership of their professional development within the organisation.

He also encouraged them to remember the journey that brought them into the company and, in time, create opportunities for others by extending the same support and fairness they had received.