The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has allegedly been coerced into signing a resignation letter, according to reports emerging on Saturday.
Sources claim that Ojulari was allegedly "hijacked" on Friday and pressured to resign by Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the State Security Service (SSS).
According to the report, Ojulari was repeatedly questioned about his potential connections to Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman who has reportedly become an influential figure in President Bola Tinubu's administration.
"Mr Ojulari told us he didn't know Olatimbo Ayinde," a source, who requested anonymity, revealed to the news platform that first reported the story.
As of the time of this report, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale has not officially responded to inquiries on the matter. Similarly, Mr. Ojulari has not commented on the allegations despite multiple attempts to reach him on Saturday afternoon.
This development comes shortly after NNPCL had raised concerns about alleged sabotage targeting the state-owned oil firm's leadership, suggesting deeper power struggles within Nigeria's oil sector.
It is worth noting that Ojulari was appointed to lead NNPCL in April 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making his tenure relatively short-lived if these resignation reports are confirmed.
The alleged forced resignation raises questions about governance and transparency in Nigeria's oil sector, which remains the backbone of the nation's economy. Industry analysts have previously warned about political interference in NNPCL operations potentially undermining reforms in the sector.
BenriNews will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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