By Chioma Vivian James
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice (CCSG-PSGEJ) has observed the recent back-page commentary in ThisDay Newspaper (April 4, 2026). While we respect the Fourth Estate, we find the assessment of Chief Bayo Ojulari’s first year as GCEO of NNPCL to be a poignant exercise in selective amnesia. To demand “execution at scale” without acknowledging the Audited N5.76 Trillion Profit and the NEPL production surge to 330,000 bpd is not journalism; it is a de-marketing campaign.
The columnist laments a “lack of results,” yet conveniently ignores that under Ojulari’s “Fit-For-Future”strategy, NNPCL recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N385 Billion in January 2026 alone. For a company that was once a fiscal black hole, Ojulari has achieved a turnaround that global oil majors envy. You cannot execute “at scale” without first ensuring the company is solvent, transparent, and profitable.
While the opposition focuses on temporary fluctuations, the facts show that Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production recovered to 1.64 million barrels per day (mbpd) in early 2026—a direct result of Ojulari’s aggressive maintenance of offshore assets like the Agbami Field and the optimization of the Renaissance (EA) area.
Execution isn’t just about headlines; it’s about steel in the ground. Chief Ojulari has pushed the AKK Gas Pipeline project to 92% completion By crossing the River Niger and reaching the final stages of the mainline, Ojulari is delivering the “Decade of Gas”promised to 200 million Nigerians. This is execution that fuels factories and powers homes the very definition of “Scale.”
The columnist ignores the recruitment of 1,000 Young Professionals (“The Tigers”) into the NNPCL. Ojulari is executing a cultural overhaul, replacing the “old NNPC” sloth with a private-sector-led meritocracy. He has empowered a new generation of leaders with a New Delegation of Financial Authority (DOA) that cuts through the red tape that previously stifled growth.
It was Ojulari’s technical brilliance that bridged the gap between the NNPCL and the Dangote Refinery ensuring that 19 crude cargoes were delivered in a single month to stabilize domestic supply. He has set a deadline of June 2026 for technical partners on national refineries a clear, measurable timeline that contradicts the “lack of clarity” narrative.
Obinna Chima’s “Mixed Scorecard” is a misdiagnosis. Chief Bayo Ojulari spent 365 days performing open-heart surgery on a dying behemoth. Today, that behemoth is walking, breathing, and profitable. To the “Village Rats” and detractors: one year was for the foundation; 2026 is for the skyscraper.
SIGNED:
Comrade James Okoronkwo
National Coordinator, CCSG-PSGEJ