Baru replaces Kachikwu as NNPC GMD

DR Maikanti Kacalla Baru has replaced Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Baru had been appointed the Group Executive Director, Exploration & Production in August 2015, in what was said to be President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid to transform the corporation into a lean, efficient, business-focused, transparent and accountable national oil company in keeping with international best practices.

Kachiku, who remains the Minister of State for Petroleum, is now the chairman of the newly corporation’s newly reconstructed board of directors approved by President Buhari, provided for under Section 1(2) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

The Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, confirmed this in a statement.

Baru’s appointment was not made separately but came by way of the inclusion of his name and designation on the board of the NNPC.

It will be recalled that rumours have been doing the rounds since December 2015 that Maikanti may succeed Kachikwu as NNPC GMD.

Adesina also confirmed that six more persons Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr Thomas M.A John, Dr Pius O. Akinyelure, Dr Tajuddeen Umar Mallam Mohammed Lawal and Mallam Yusuf Lawal are also approved as members of the board.

According to the statement, president urged the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of the NNPC, “and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset.”