Fresh fears and uncertainty have swept through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd., following the introduction of a controversial staff exit programme by the management under Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari. Critics say the move could portray President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as insensitive to the harsh economic realities facing Nigerians.
Industry analysts and labour observers are now questioning the timing of the exercise, warning that implementing a mass workforce reduction programme at a time of severe economic hardship and rising unemployment could trigger public backlash against the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Several experts who spoke on the development described the move as “politically dangerous,” arguing that it risks deepening the perception that the government is disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“There is already hardship everywhere. Inflation is crushing families, companies are downsizing, and unemployment is worsening. This is not the kind of decision a national oil company should be pushing in an election cycle,” an Abuja based energy policy analyst said.
Another senior industry stakeholder went further, alleging that the timing of the exercise could politically damage the President.
“Whether intentional or not, this kind of policy paints the government as anti workers and insensitive. Some people are already asking whether Ojulari is working against the President politically because this move will definitely generate anger,” the source said.
The tension follows the commencement of what NNPC management described as a “structured workforce transition programme” aimed at repositioning the company into a commercially driven global energy firm.
The programme includes an Accelerated Exit Scheme, AES, and a Voluntary Exit Scheme, VES, both designed to encourage early departures among workers nearing retirement.
According to an internal memo seen by this newspaper, Ojulari said the initiative was part of an ongoing “recalibration” of the organisation.
“Over the past year, we began an important recalibration of our organisation as part of our broader transformation,” Ojulari stated in the communication.
“As we build momentum on this journey, it is essential that our workforce continues to evolve in line with the future we are building.”
Under the arrangement, the AES targets employees expected to retire by 2026, while the VES extends to workers due for statutory retirement in 2027, as well as staff on grade level SS1 expected to retire between 2028 and 2030.
Ojulari defended the initiative as a strategic effort to create a “performance driven and accountable” organisation capable of competing globally.
“These programmes form part of our deliberate efforts to responsibly manage workforce transitions while creating the right conditions for organisational renewal and long term sustainability,” he said.
Despite the assurances, anxiety has continued to spread across departments within the oil giant, with many workers fearing the programme may merely be the first phase of a broader retrenchment exercise.
Employees who spoke anonymously described an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty inside the company.
“There is silent pressure everywhere. Once management starts using words like ‘renewal,’ ‘alignment,’ and ‘recalibration,’ workers know jobs are at risk,” one employee said.
Another worker said many staff members now fear that the company may be preparing for sweeping layoffs disguised as voluntary exits.
“This is being presented as optional, but people are worried about what comes next. The mood internally is tense,” the source added.
The development is already generating wider concern among labour watchers and political observers, especially given the economic pressures currently facing millions of Nigerians.
Critics argue that any perception of mass retrenchment in a major state owned institution like NNPC could further fuel public frustration at a time when many households are battling soaring living costs, unstable electricity, high transportation expenses, and shrinking purchasing power.
For the Tinubu administration, analysts say the optics may prove just as damaging as the policy itself.
