The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has formally absorbed more than 1,000 young Nigerian graduates into its workforce after they completed a rigorous one-year internship and performance evaluation programme, the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer has announced.
Bayo Ojulari, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, revealed the development in a statement shared on the company’s official social media channels, describing it as a major landmark in the national energy firm’s drive to build a highly skilled, merit-driven and future-ready workforce.
One-Year Internship Leads to Permanent Employment
According to Ojulari, the newly deployed employees did not merely walk into permanent roles. They were selected after months of structured learning, practical assignments, and continuous assessment. The programme was designed to test their ability to perform under real pressure, ensuring that only the most competent candidates remained at the end of the cycle.
He explained that while offer letters initially granted the trainees entry into the programme, it was their commitment, resilience, and performance throughout the 12-month period that ultimately secured their positions within the company.
“Today marked a huge milestone for us as we officially deployed over 1,000 young professionals into NNPCL after one year of internship, intensive training, and evaluation,” Ojulari said.
Merit Over Connections
Ojulari stressed that the recruitment exercise underscores a significant cultural shift within NNPCL—one where competence and results take precedence over personal connections, regional considerations, or favouritism. He noted that the company is now focused on rewarding talent, hard work, and fairness.
“Different paths, but the same door. And we opened it. That’s what NNPCL stands for today, not who you know or where you’re from, but what you can do,” the NNPCL chief remarked.
He further emphasised that the trainees had proven themselves day after day under demanding working conditions, which is exactly the standard the company is building for its future operations.
New Employees Encouraged to Drive Transformation
Addressing the newly recruited professionals, Ojulari urged them to become active participants in NNPCL’s ongoing transformation. He encouraged them to embrace innovation, share fresh ideas, challenge the status quo, and take ownership of their personal and professional development.
“Their offer letters got them in, but their work this past year kept them here. They proved themselves day after day, under real pressure, and that’s the standard we’re building—talent, hard work and fairness,” he added.
The CEO also reminded the new employees that they are not just the company’s future but also its present. He advised them to remain vocal, express their opinions, and never hesitate to question existing processes as they settle into their new roles.
Part of NNPCL’s Broader Transformation Agenda
This mass deployment is a key element of NNPCL’s human capital development strategy, which has gained momentum since the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The company is repositioning itself as a commercially focused energy enterprise, and building a dependable workforce is central to that goal.
The graduate recruitment initiative was first announced in July 2024 during the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari. After completing the one-year programme, the trainees have now transitioned into full-time employees across various operational areas of the company.
For thousands of Nigerian graduates seeking opportunities in the energy sector, this programme signals that performance and dedication remain essential to securing long-term careers in one of the country’s most strategic industries. It also reinforces NNPCL’s commitment to nurturing young talent and anchoring its workforce on merit, competence, and excellence.
Federal Government Launches Similar Employment Portal
In a related development, the Federal Government has launched the online registration portal for Phase III of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), with plans to train 26,961 unemployed Nigerians in 70 high-demand skills. The programme is designed to tackle unemployment and boost entrepreneurship across the country.
Speaking during the launch, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mohammed Dingyadi, said the initiative aims to equip unemployed Nigerians with practical, market-driven skills that can lead to either formal employment or self-reliance. The training is expected to commence in August 2026 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the completion of the registration process.
