The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to remain committed to ongoing reforms at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), urging him to resist calls for the removal of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari.
The forum said recent demands for Ojulari’s resignation over allegations surrounding security expenditures had sparked public debate but warned that such controversies should not derail efforts to reposition Nigeria’s oil company.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Legborsi Yamaabana, the group argued that major national institutions require stability, professionalism and sufficient time to implement meaningful reforms.
NDENYLF described Ojulari as an experienced oil and gas professional with decades of technical and leadership experience, saying he has demonstrated commitment to transforming NNPC Ltd.
into a more efficient, commercially focused and performance-driven energy company.
The group stressed that Nigeria’s petroleum sector remains central to the economy and requires consistent leadership, strong corporate governance and long-term planning to attract investment and improve productivity.
It urged Nigerians to separate allegations from proven facts, insisting that concerns involving public institutions should be handled through established legal and regulatory channels rather than public pressure.
“Every public institution is subject to oversight, and where legitimate questions arise, the appropriate statutory agencies should be allowed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without prejudice or media trials.
”Accountability must be pursued through due process, fairness and the rule of law,” the statement said.
The forum said the Niger Delta region has continued to advocate for transparency, increased oil production, environmental responsibility, improved relations with host communities and sustainable development.
It commended efforts aimed at improving NNPC Ltd.’s operational efficiency, strengthening corporate governance and restoring investor confidence, describing these measures as necessary steps toward building a globally competitive national energy company.
NDENYLF called for patience and support for the ongoing transformation, warning that frequent leadership changes could undermine reforms and slow progress in the sector.
The group urged President Tinubu to allow Ojulari to continue his assignment, describing the restructuring of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry as a challenging but necessary process that requires continuity.
According to the youth leaders, Nigeria needs constructive engagement, institutional stability and sustained reforms rather than distractions that could reverse gains being made in the country’s most strategic economic sector.
