Workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited have issued a stern warning to the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, over alleged plans to appoint external candidates to top management positions.
In a letter jointly signed by leaders of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, the unions rejected any move to bring in outsiders as executive vice presidents, deputy managers, or managers. They threatened a total shutdown of operations if the company proceeds with the plan.
The letter, titled “Filling of Top Management Positions in NNPC Limited With Externally Recruited Personnel is Unacceptable to PENGASSAN & NUPENG GEC” and referenced PEN/NUP.GEC.SEC. 04/25/04.2, was addressed to the Chief Human Resource Officer and acknowledged on the same day.
While congratulating Ojulari and the new board members appointed by President Bola Tinubu, the unions urged management to prioritise internal promotions, citing the wealth of experienced personnel within the organisation.
“We extend our warm congratulations to the newly appointed Group CEO and Board Members of NNPC Limited. We wish them success and pray for excellence in their assignments,” the letter read in part. “However, we must draw urgent attention to a matter of serious concern. The tendency to recruit externally into top management roles whenever a new GCEO is appointed is unacceptable.”
The unions insisted that NNPC is home to thousands of competent professionals who have spent years building the company’s legacy and are ready to take on greater responsibilities. They warned that overlooking internal talent in favour of external candidates would be “grossly unjust, wasteful, and disruptive.”
Describing such appointments as a threat to staff morale and career progression, the unions warned that continued industrial harmony could not be guaranteed if the GCEO fails to heed their demands.
“This letter serves as a formal notice that PENGASSAN and NUPENG categorically reject any recruitment into management positions above the SS6 cadre from outside the organisation. Any attempt to do so will be met with strong resistance, including a complete shutdown of operations,” the statement added.
