Former Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, has officially exited the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

Wanti, one of the key figures at company, whose retirement comes after recent leadership changes at the state oil company Saturday said he gave his best to the country through the state oil firm.

In a formal handing-over ceremony at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, he passed the baton to Akpabio Essien, Acting Head of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE).
During his farewell event, Wunti reflected on his decades of service, tracing his journey from humble beginnings at the Eleme Petrochemical Complex in Rivers State.

He recalled arriving as a young, hopeful, and perhaps slightly naive employee, eager to make a difference.
There, Wanti said he learned the essential values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience, lessons that would shape the rest of his career.
Over the years, Wunti held numerous key positions within NNPC as he served as Head of Market Research at Brass LNG, General Manager of the Efficiency Unit, and Senior Technical Advisor to the Group Managing Director.

Later, he played a central role in the post-COVID upstream revival, first at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) and then at NUIMS.

Each role, he noted, helped lay the foundation for what he describes as a new era of success at NNPC.

Among his most notable achievements, Wunti highlighted his leadership in resolving the high-impact, multi-billion dollar deepwater Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arbitrations and the protracted EGTL cost dispute.

He also led ‘Operation White’, a strategic effort to reduce fuel smuggling across Nigeria’s borders. Additionally, Wunti played a pivotal role in advancing the Kolmani Integrated Oil Development projects, not just as strategic initiatives, but as projects that embodied a shared commitment to national service.

Wunti was also a strong advocate for using gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel, spearheading NNPC’s ‘Nigasification’ strategy.

For him, this was not merely about policy but a passionate belief in doing what was best for Nigeria’s energy future. He expressed satisfaction in seeing these efforts reflected in shifts in national energy policy.

Significantly, Wunti noted that he was part of the leadership team that transformed NNPC into NNPC Limited, following the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021.

This reform, which came after two decades of delay, was designed to boost transparency, accountability, and commercial performance, positioning NNPC as a dynamic player in the global energy market.

On the international front, Wunti represented Nigeria in key organisations such as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), giving him the opportunity to engage with global policymakers, economists, and strategists, further deepening his understanding of energy diplomacy and market dynamics.

In his final months as Chief HSE Officer, Wunti oversaw significant initiatives, including the HSE rebranding, the Incident Management Reporting Application Plus (IMRA+), the Fire Extinguisher Management System (FEMS), and updates to the company’s HSE Policy and Process Guidelines.

As he departs, Wunti expressed deep gratitude to his colleagues, senior management, and family, reflecting warmly on the friendships, challenges, and achievements that shaped his journey.