The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has removed the managing directors in charge of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. This decision came from the company’s new leadership team, including Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari and Executive Non-Chairman Musa Ahmadu-Kida.

Sources inside the company confirmed that the heads of these refineries, along with other senior managers, were sacked. Among those affected is Bala Wunti, the former head of NNPC’s investment arm, National Petroleum Investment Management Services.

The shake-up also affects workers who are close to retirement. Reports say several of them, who had only one year left before retirement, were asked to leave early.

One insider said, “Those removed include the MDs of Port Harcourt Refining Company, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, and the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company.”

In addition, Maryam Idrisu has now been appointed as the new Managing Director of NNPC Trading.

So far, the company’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, has not made an official comment on the changes.

This shake-up follows the dismissal of former NNPCL GCEO Mele Kyari and Board Chairman Pius Akinyelure by President Bola Tinubu in April 2025. The refineries have been under fire for poor performance, especially after receiving huge funds for rehabilitation.

For example, even after announcing that the Port Harcourt refinery had restarted production, the plant operated at less than 50% capacity. The Warri refinery also remained shut since January 2025 due to safety concerns, despite spending over $897 million on maintenance.

These changes show the new management’s effort to improve performance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.