Women in Oil Marketing Advocate for Female GMD at NNPCL, Applaud Tinubu’s Subsidy Removal

The International Women in Oil Marketing and Refinery have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint a female Group Managing Director (GMD) to lead the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). In a statement released by Secretary-General Dr. P.S. Bhandari and African Continent Director-General Ambassador Sarki Ibrahim, the group emphasized the need for female leadership to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The group pointed out that since the inception of oil exploration in Nigeria, the role of GMD at NNPCL has been exclusively held by men, yet the industry still falls short of global standards. They believe that appointing a woman could offer the much-needed “breath of fresh air” and a chance for positive transformation within the sector.

Highlighting past examples of exemplary female leadership, the organization cited the achievements of Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of NAFDAC, and Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister and current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), as proof that women can drive substantial change in critical industries. They asserted that another woman at the helm of NNPCL could similarly bring “sanity” to Nigeria’s troubled oil sector.

The group also commended President Tinubu’s bold decision to remove fuel subsidies, describing it as a crucial step toward liberalizing the oil sector and fostering economic growth. They expressed optimism that this policy change will attract investments and boost development in the oil and gas industry.

The women urged Nigerians to remain patient with the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, especially in light of the challenges posed by the subsidy removal. They likened the process to a pregnancy journey – painful yet essential for birthing a better future for Nigeria’s economy. The organization concluded that this difficult measure is a necessary step toward achieving economic recovery and stability in the near future.