A coalition of Niger Delta youth leaders stormed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, demanding the immediate resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
The protesters, who reportedly arrived at the NNPCL Towers as early as 6 a.m., blocked both the entrance and exit gates of the building, disrupting activities and causing traffic congestion along Herbert Macaulay Way in the Central Business District.
Carrying placards and banners, the youths accused Ojulari of running the company in ways detrimental to the interests of the Niger Delta region, the country’s oil-producing hub. One of the banners boldly called for his removal and the appointment of a Niger Delta indigene as the next GCEO of the national oil giant.
Security operatives were seen on the ground to maintain order, while NNPCL staff and visitors faced restricted movement due to the blockade.
The protest highlights growing discontent among Niger Delta stakeholders, who insist that the region deserves stronger representation in the leadership of Nigeria’s oil industry.
