By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is a state-owned oil company. Still a fully-owned government company, it was transformed from a corporation into a limited liability company in July, 2022.
The company boasts of extensive infrastructure and investment in the downstream, midstream and upstream of the Nigerian petroleum industry.
NNPC by law manages the joint venture between the Nigerian federal government and a number of foreign multinational corporations, which include Royal Dutch Shell, Agip, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Chevron, and Texaco (now merged with Chevron). Through collaboration with these companies, the Nigerian government conducts petroleum exploration and production.
Following passage of a Petroleum Industry Act in August 2021, NNPC now operates as a commercial entity without relying on government funding and direct controls. NNPC was established as a limited liability corporation in the hopes that a private entity will find it easier to access international capital markets.
On April 2, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved the board of NNPC Limited and appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new group chief executive officer (GCEO). Ahmadu Musa Kida was appointed the new non-executive chairman, replacing Chief Pius Akinyelure.
Here is a full list of NNPC group managing directors from 1977 till date below:
1977-1980: Remilekun A Marinho
1980-1981: Odoliyi Lolomari
1981-1985: Lawrence Amu
1985-1990: Aret Adams
1990-1992: Thomas John
1992-1993: Edmund Daukoru
1993-1995: Chamberlin Oyibo
1995-1999: Dalhatu Bayero
1999-2003: Jackson G Obaseki
2003-2007: Funsho Kupolokun
2007-2009: Abubakar Yar’Adua
2009-2010: Muhammed Bakindo
2010: Shenu Ladan
2010-2012: Augustine O. Oniwon
2012-2014: Andrew Yakubu
2014-2015: Joseph Thlama Dawha
2015-2016: Ibe Kachukwu
2016-2019: Maikanti Baru
2019-2025: Mele Kyari
2025-Present: Bayo Bashir Ojulari