71 exit NNPCL in gale of retirement at oil giant
NNPCL
John Ofikhenua, Abuja and Muyiwa Lucas
Agale of forced retirement has hit top management officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Although a statement by the oil company did not state the number of those asked to quit, The Nation learnt that they are 71.
It was gathered that one of those affected is the Chief Communications Officer of the oil firm, Garba Muhammad. He was said to have handed over to his subordinate at the corporate headquarters of the company in Abuja.
Most of the affected workers still have up to 15 months to their official retirement age. Some are said to have spent less than 10 years and therefore would be entitled to pension.
In the statement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, the NNPCL explained that the directive was to enable it to deliver on strategic business objectives and provide “ equal opportunity for all Nigerians.”
The statement reads in part: “In our bid to pursue effective organisational renewal to support the delivery of our strategic business objectives, it has become imperative to rejuvenate our workforce.
“Consequently, in addition to the recent exit of three executive vice-presidents, other management staff with less than fifteen (15) months to statutory retirement will be exiting the company effective 19th September 2023.
“This is in line with our commitment to scale up NNPC Ltd. capabilities through targeted talent management and equal opportunity for all Nigerians.”
The recently retired vice-presidents are Abdulkabir Ahmed (Gas, Power and New Energies), Adokiye Tombomieye (Upstream) and Adeyemi Adetunji, Downstream.
Olalekan Ogunleye was on Sunday named Ahmed’s successor while Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan replaced Tombomieye. Adetunji’s successor is Adedapo Segun.
NNPCL had about two years ago sacked a number of workers but through an approach different from the latest. Then, it asked those interested in quitting, to do so and earn huge incentives.
The Nation Newspaper, Ltd