‘Over 70% of eligible NNPC staff seek exit’

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has initiated an early retirement program, drawing significant interest from employees, with over 70 percent of eligible staff indicating a desire to participate in the voluntary exit arrangement. This initiative, structured under the Accelerated Exit Scheme (AES) and the Voluntary Exit Scheme (VES), is presented by the company as a strategic reform to align its workforce with long-term transformation objectives, enhance efficiency, and create opportunities for younger professionals.

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Over the past year, we began an important recalibration of our organisation as part of our broader transformation. As we build momentum on this journey, it is essential that our workforce continues to evolve in line with the future we are building.

The AES is designed for employees nearing retirement within the next year (2026), while the VES targets staff scheduled for statutory retirement in 2027, as well as SS1-grade employees with two to five years remaining until retirement between 2028 and 2030. Officials speaking anonymously stressed that the program is entirely voluntary and intended to benefit both employees and the organization, with no pressure on any employee to leave.

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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.

Concerns and speculation about the rationale behind the initiative have surfaced, but NNPC officials maintain its voluntary nature. The restructuring is part of a broader organizational recalibration, as explained by Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Ojulari in an internal communication. He stated that the workforce must evolve in line with the company's future vision.

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more than 70 per cent of eligible staff have indicated willingness to participate in the voluntary exit arrangement.

NNPC officials further clarified that the scheme is not targeted at specific individuals and is not unprecedented within the organization. The program aims to provide employees approaching retirement with an opportunity for earlier exit under favorable terms, contributing to organizational renewal and long-term sustainability.

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no employee was being compelled to leave the organisation.