Buhari suspends inauguration of NNPC board

The inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) earlier scheduled for Wednesday 24th November, 2021 has been postponed until further notice.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, gave the directive for the suspension on Tuesday.

No reason was given for the cancellation of the inauguration of the board.

In a statement made available to The Star, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, stated that a new date will be announced in due course.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate suspension of the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) scheduled for Wednesday 24th November, 2021 until further notice.

“A new date for the inauguration of the Board will be announced in due course.

“We deeply regret inconveniences caused to members by this suspension, please,” Mustapha stated.

President Buhari had on September 19 named Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Chairman of the Board while Mele Kolo Kyari and Umar I. Ajiya were appointed as Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

Other Board Members are: Dr. Tajudeen Umar (North-East), Mrs. Lami O. Ahmed (North-Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North-West), Senator Margaret Chuba Okadigbo (South-East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South-South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South-West).