In a strategic move to enhance its public image, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and align with its transformation agenda, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals to key leadership positions in its communications and public relations units. On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the state-owned oil company revealed that Mr. Andy Odeh has been appointed as Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO), while Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi will serve as Chief Relations Officer (CRO). These appointments, which follow the resignation of the former CCCO, Olufemi Soneye, in June 2025, signal NNPC Ltd’s commitment to improving transparency, fostering trust, and deepening engagement with its diverse stakeholders. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the new appointments, the qualifications of the appointees, the context of the changes, and their potential impact on Nigeria’s energy sector.
Background: The Need for Strategic Communication at NNPC Ltd
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, formerly the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy. As the country’s primary oil and gas entity, NNPC Ltd is responsible for managing Nigeria’s vast hydrocarbon resources, which account for approximately 90% of the nation’s export earnings and a significant portion of government revenue. However, the company has faced longstanding challenges, including allegations of opacity, financial mismanagement, and strained relationships with stakeholders such as host communities, regulators, and international partners. In recent years, particularly following its transition to a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, NNPC Ltd has been working to reposition itself as a commercially driven, transparent, and socially responsible organization.
Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are critical to achieving these goals. The company’s operations impact a wide range of stakeholders, including the Nigerian government, local communities, international oil companies, investors, and the general public. Historically, NNPC has faced criticism for its lack of transparency, with issues such as delayed financial reporting and undisclosed debts to gasoline suppliers coming to light as recently as 2024. The appointment of new heads of corporate communications and public relations reflects NNPC Ltd’s recognition of the need to rebuild trust, enhance its corporate image, and communicate its transformation agenda effectively.
The resignati on of Olufemi Soneye as CCCO in June 2025 created a leadership vacuum in the communications department, prompting the company to seek experienced professionals capable of navigating Nigeria’s complex socio-political and economic landscape. The appointments of Andy Odeh and Morenike Adewunmi are seen as a strategic response to this need, leveraging their extensive expertise to drive NNPC Ltd’s communication and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Profiles of the New Appointees
Mr. Andy Odeh: Chief Corporate Communications Officer
Mr. Andy Odeh brings a wealth of experience to his new role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer. With over 30 years of professional experience spanning the oil and gas, advertising, and broadcasting sectors, Odeh is a seasoned communicator with a proven track record of managing high-profile public relations and corporate communication initiatives. Prior to joining NNPC Ltd, he spent 26 years at Nigeria LNG (NLNG), where he held various leadership roles, including General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development.
At NLNG, Odeh was instrumental in overseeing community relations, business logistics, information management, corporate communications, public affairs, government relations, and regulatory compliance. One of his most notable achievements was leading NLNG’s corporate rebranding efforts, which enhanced the company’s reputation as a global leader in the liquefied natural gas industry. He also spearheaded the implementation of one of Nigeria’s most successful micro-credit schemes for host communities, demonstrating his ability to balance corporate objectives with social responsibility.
Odeh’s expertise extends beyond the energy sector. His background in advertising and broadcasting has equipped him with the skills to craft compelling narratives and manage large-scale public relations campaigns for top brands. In his new role at NNPC Ltd, Odeh is expected to leverage his experience to enhance the company’s communication strategy, ensuring that its policies, initiatives, and achievements are effectively communicated to stakeholders and the public. In a statement following his appointment, Odeh expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, “I am honored to take on this responsibility at such a crucial time for NNPC. I look forward to building on the company’s strong reputation and deepening its engagement with Nigerians and stakeholders” ().
Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi: Chief Relations Officer
Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi, appointed as Chief Relations Officer, is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Her career, rooted in regulatory affairs and stakeholder management, makes her a natural fit for this newly created role. Adewunmi joins NNPC Ltd from Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN), where she served as Regulatory Affairs Manager and later as Government Relations Manager. In these roles, she managed mandatory regulatory engagements, secured permits, and built constructive relationships with key government entities, including the Presidency, ministries, departments, and agencies.
Adewunmi is widely recognized for her ability to navigate complex external landscapes, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the “license to operate” for multinational oil companies. Her expertise in managing non-technical risks—such as community unrest, regulatory disputes, and reputational challenges—has earned her a reputation as a subject matter expert in stakeholder engagement. A graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University and the Nigerian Law School, Adewunmi combines legal acumen with strong leadership skills and emotional intelligence, enabling her to build robust stakeholder networks.
In her new role at NNPC Ltd, Adewunmi is tasked with fostering trust, strengthening relationships with regulators, host communities, and other stakeholders, and ensuring that the company operates with credibility and compliance. Reflecting on her appointment, she stated, “NNPC plays a vital role in Nigeria’s energy sector. My focus will be on fostering trust, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and ensuring the company continues to operate with credibility and compliance” ().
Context of the Appointments
The appointments of Odeh and Adewunmi come at a pivotal time for NNPC Ltd. The company is undergoing a significant transformation following its transition to a limited liability company under the PIA. This shift has placed greater emphasis on corporate governance, operational efficiency, and financial transparency. In April 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed a new board and Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, a former Shell executive, to lead NNPC Ltd’s overhaul and boost oil production (). The new leadership is tasked with addressing longstanding challenges, including financial strain, corruption allegations, and inefficiencies in the oil and gas sector.
The communications and public relations units play a critical role in this transformation. NNPC Ltd’s ability to communicate its achievements, address criticisms, and engage with stakeholders is essential to maintaining public trust and attracting investment. The company’s admission in 2024 that it owed $6 billion to gasoline suppliers highlighted the need for improved transparency and communication (). By appointing experienced professionals like Odeh and Adewunmi, NNPC Ltd aims to strengthen its corporate narrative and position itself as a commercially driven entity with a commitment to social responsibility.
The creation of the Chief Relations Officer role, filled by Adewunmi, is particularly noteworthy. This role underscores NNPC Ltd’s recognition of the importance of stakeholder management in its operations. Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is characterized by complex relationships with host communities, regulators, and international partners. Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial to mitigating risks such as community protests, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Adewunmi’s experience at Shell, where she successfully managed government relations and regulatory compliance, positions her to address these challenges effectively.
Strategic Implications of the Appointments
The appointments of Odeh and Adewunmi have several strategic implications for NNPC Ltd and Nigeria’s energy sector:
Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: Both appointees have emphasized their commitment to fostering trust and credibility. Odeh’s experience in corporate communications will help NNPC Ltd communicate its financial and operational performance more effectively, addressing criticisms of opacity. Adewunmi’s expertise in regulatory affairs will ensure that the company adheres to legal and regulatory requirements, further enhancing its credibility.
Strengthened Stakeholder Relationships: Adewunmi’s role as Chief Relations Officer is expected to improve NNPC Ltd’s engagement with host communities, government agencies, and international partners. Her ability to build constructive relationships with the Presidency and other stakeholders will be critical to securing the company’s “license to operate” and mitigating non-technical risks.
Improved Corporate Image: Odeh’s background in rebranding and public relations campaigns will enable NNPC Ltd to craft a more positive corporate image. This is particularly important as the company prepares for a planned initial public offering (IPO) within the next 12 to 15 months, which could provide a significant injection of capital ().
Alignment with Transformation Agenda: The appointments align with NNPC Ltd’s broader transformation agenda, which includes increasing oil production, rehabilitating refineries, and enhancing energy security. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are essential to gaining public and investor support for these initiatives.
Social Responsibility and Community Engagement: Odeh’s experience in implementing micro-credit schemes for host communities at NLNG suggests that he will prioritize social responsibility in his role at NNPC Ltd. This is critical in addressing the grievances of host communities, which have often protested against oil companies due to environmental degradation and lack of economic benefits.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the appointments of Odeh and Adewunmi present significant opportunities for NNPC Ltd, they also come with challenges:
Navigating Political Influence: NNPC Ltd operates in a highly politicized environment, with powerful politicians influencing appointments and contracts (). Odeh and Adewunmi will need to navigate these dynamics carefully to maintain their independence and focus on the company’s objectives.
Addressing Financial Strain: The company’s financial challenges, including its $6 billion debt to gasoline suppliers, require careful communication to avoid further damaging its reputation. Odeh’s role will be crucial in managing public perceptions of NNPC Ltd’s financial health.
Balancing Stakeholder Expectations: Adewunmi will face the challenge of balancing the expectations of diverse stakeholders, including host communities, regulators, and international partners. Her ability to build trust and manage conflicts will be critical to her success.
Implementing the Transformation Agenda: The new appointees will need to work closely with NNPC Ltd’s leadership team, including Group CEO Bayo Ojulari, to implement the company’s transformation agenda. This will require effective coordination and alignment of communication strategies with broader corporate goals.
Despite these challenges, the appointments offer significant opportunities for NNPC Ltd to reposition itself as a transparent, efficient, and socially responsible organization. Odeh and Adewunmi’s combined experience in communications, stakeholder management, and regulatory compliance positions them to drive meaningful change in the company’s operations and public perception.
Stakeholder Reactions
The announcement of the new appointments has elicited positive reactions from stakeholders in Nigeria’s energy sector. Industry analysts have praised NNPC Ltd for selecting professionals with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, noting that their expertise will be critical to addressing the company’s challenges. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have expressed support for the appointments, citing their potential to enhance collaboration between NNPC Ltd and regulatory bodies ().
Host communities, which have often criticized NNPC Ltd for environmental and economic issues, have cautiously welcomed the appointments. Community leaders have called on Adewunmi to prioritize engagement with local stakeholders and address longstanding grievances. Meanwhile, international oil companies and investors have expressed optimism about the appointments, viewing them as a signal of NNPC Ltd’s commitment to transparency and professionalism as it prepares for its IPO.
The Way Forward
The appointments of Andy Odeh and Morenike Adewunmi mark a new chapter in NNPC Ltd’s efforts to transform its operations and public image. As the company navigates the complexities of Nigeria’s energy sector, effective communication and stakeholder engagement will be critical to its success. Odeh’s role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer will focus on crafting a compelling narrative that highlights NNPC Ltd’s achievements and addresses its challenges. Adewunmi’s role as Chief Relations Officer will ensure that the company maintains strong relationships with its stakeholders, fostering trust and cooperation.
To maximize the impact of these appointments, NNPC Ltd must provide Odeh and Adewunmi with the resources and support needed to execute their mandates effectively. This includes investing in communication infrastructure, such as digital platforms and media outreach, and empowering Adewunmi to engage proactively with communities and regulators. Additionally, the company must continue to prioritize transparency and accountability, addressing criticisms head-on and communicating its progress clearly to the public.
As Nigeria seeks to boost oil production, rehabilitate refineries, and attract investment, the role of corporate communications and stakeholder engagement cannot be overstated. With Odeh and Adewunmi at the helm, NNPC Ltd has an opportunity to redefine its relationship with Nigerians and position itself as a global leader in the energy sector. The success of these appointments will depend on their ability to navigate challenges, build trust, and align their efforts with the company’s broader transformation agenda.
