Obele Faults Tinubu’s Executive Order 9, Calls for Sack of NNPCL GCEO

An energy expert and lecturer at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Dr. Joseph Obele, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order No. 9 of 2026, describing it as a policy with far-reaching legal and economic implications, even as he called for the immediate sack of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari.
Obele, who is also the National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), clarified that his position does not represent that of the association but reflects his personal views as an energy expert.
President Tinubu signed Executive Order No. 9 on February 13, 2026, directing that all oil and gas revenues due to the Federation including royalty oil, tax oil, profit oil, and profit gas — be paid directly into the Federation Account.
The Order further suspends certain revenue retention mechanisms established under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, including the 30 percent Frontier Exploration Fund, the 30 percent NNPCL management fee on profit oil and profit gas, and the redirection of gas flare penalties into the Federation Account.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of the Order, Obele warned that it may contradict Sections 8, 9 and 64 of the PIA, thereby creating legal and regulatory uncertainty in the oil and gas sector.
According to him, centralising petroleum revenues into the Federation Account could boost allocations to the three tiers of government, improve fiscal transparency, reduce revenue leakages and strengthen budget stability.
He noted that the directive may also recalibrate the “thinking faculty” of NNPCL management toward making the nation’s refineries functional and commercially viable.
“The Order may compel NNPCL to operate strictly as a commercial entity, focusing on profitability and cost efficiency rather than relying on retained government funds,” he said.
Obele added that the move could push the national oil company to prioritise the operational revival of government-owned refineries, as revenue generation would become critical for meeting salary and operational obligations.
However, he cautioned that the Order could undermine investor confidence if perceived as overriding statutory provisions of the PIA.
“Legal and regulatory uncertainty may discourage long-term capital investment and weaken NNPCL’s operational flexibility,” he said, warning that potential cost-cutting measures could lead to job losses and negatively affect foreign investment inflows.
He called for constructive dialogue between the Executive, the National Assembly, industry stakeholders and labour unions to reconcile areas of controversy and ensure that reforms align with statutory law and institutional stability.
Meanwhile, Obele has demanded the immediate removal of NNPCL GCEO, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, over what he described as misplaced priorities in the management of the country’s refining assets.
The call follows Ojulari’s recent visit to the Dangote Refinery, a privately owned facility, which has drawn criticism from some stakeholders who argue that he has yet to pay similar visits to the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries under NNPCL’s supervision.
Ojulari was appointed GCEO of NNPCL on April 2, 2025. Critics allege that nearly a year into his tenure, he has not conducted inspection tours of the government-owned refineries, which have consumed significant public funds for rehabilitation but remain largely underperforming.
Obele described the visit to Dangote Refinery as “a troubling development,” arguing that public officials must first demonstrate visible commitment to reviving government-owned facilities before celebrating partnerships with private enterprises.
“It is particularly disturbing that the Port Harcourt Refinery has reportedly not received a personal inspection visit from the GCEO, yet there are allegations that a directive to shut down the plant was issued on May 24, 2025, without on-the-ground engagement,” he said.
He maintained that visiting the government refineries would serve as a morale booster to workers and contractors and reassure Nigerians that national assets have not been abandoned.
Obele said that in jurisdictions where accountability is strictly enforced, such conduct would attract serious scrutiny and possible removal from office.
He therefore urged President Tinubu to relieve Ojulari of his position in order to restore public confidence and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to protecting national assets.
While acknowledging that collaboration between NNPCL and the Dangote Refinery could offer economic benefits, he stressed that such engagements must not overshadow the urgent responsibility to rehabilitate and operationalise government-owned refineries.
He also called on NNPCL leadership to provide a comprehensive public update on the operational status of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, prioritise direct inspection and engagement with the facilities, and uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
“Nigeria’s energy security and economic sovereignty must remain paramount,” Obele stated, warning that any action perceived as sidelining national assets in favour of private interests risks eroding public trust and attracting corrective demands from civil society.