Bayo Ojulari, Newly Appointed NNPCL CEO Biography: Career, Age, and Key Facts You Need to Know

Bayo Bashiru Ojulari, a business leader with a proven track record became the name on the lips of most Nigerians in the energy sector following his new strategic appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer( CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC LTD) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 2, 2025.

Key Facts You Need to Know About Bayo Ojulari

Early Life and Education

Bayo Ojulari hails from Kwara State, Nigeria. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from 1985-1989. ​

Early Career

Ojulari started his career at Elf Aquitaine where he worked as a process engineer making him the first Nigeria to attain such a position. In November 1991, he moved to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), where he worked as an Associate Production Technologist. In June 1994, he became a member of the Integrated Studies Team at Shell headquarters in the Netherlands. Ojulari pushed himself and rose to the position of Head of Planning Economics and Budgeting at SPDC Nigeria between April 1997 and November 1999. He also became the Asset Leader and Head Production Technologist at Shell in Oman from December 1999 to September 2003. At this time, Bayo Ojulari became a rising force in the energy sector despite trying to maintain a low profile.

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Career Breakthrough and Global Leadership

Bayo Ojulari broke into the Global Space in October 2013 when he was appointed the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Planner at Shell headquarters, a position he held till December 2004. He became the Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at SPDC Nigeria in January 2005. In 2006, he briefly held the position of Asset Production Technologist before handing over to his successor in March 2007. Ojulari’s tenure as the manager of Corporate Planning and Strategy ended in October 2008.

He was thereafter appointed the Manager of Asset Development (Onshore and Shallow Water) SPDC Nigeria from October 2008 to October 2010. Ojulari’s records keep him flying in his career as he became the Development Director of Shell in January 2010. He held the position till October 2015. When the company saw his capability and track record, Ojulari was made the Managing Director of SNEPCo and he held the position from November 2015 to July 2021 after which he left the company.

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Professional Achievements and Recognition

Bayo Ojulari landed many laudable achievements making him a trailblazer in his career. He is a  fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, where he served as the chairman and member of the board of trustees between 1998 and 1999.

Bayo Ojulari founded the BAT Advisory and Energy Company Nigeria Ltd in July July 2021, a consultancy firm providing solutions and services to the oil and gas sector.

Bayo also became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company in January 2024. He spearheaded the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) $2.4 billion assets by a consortium of Renaissance firms.

Following his outstanding achievements, he was appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCED) of NNPCL by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 2, 2025.

Bayo Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari, who was sacked by President Tinubu due to some alleged corruption links. Ojulari is expected to bring his proven strategies to revolutionise the NNPCL and bring it to its expected standard.

Family Life

Bayo Ojulari is happier married with kids, however, due to his penchant for privacy, his wife and kids are hidden from the pry of public eyes.

Ojulari described himself in his LinkedIn profile as “a business leader with a proven track record in the global energy sector.”