Nigeria’s journey toward unity and prosperity is undermined by systemic inequities that persist in its most vital sectors. The recent appointment of Engr Bayo Bashir Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), as reported by Daily Query in their April 4, 2025 editorial [“NNPC: South-East Remains A Spectator 48 Years After”], marks the 20th consecutive leadership appointment excluding the South East from helming the national oil giant. This pattern, stretching back to the NNPC’s inception in 1977, is not merely an oversight but a glaring symptom of the marginalization of the Igbo people (Ndigbo), who remain sidelined despite their region’s contributions to Nigeria’s oil wealth and their proven expertise in the sector. The South East, home to prolific gas reserves in the Anambra Basin and oil fields in Imo and Abia, fuels the nation’s economy yet is denied a seat at the decision-making table. This exclusion defies logic, especially when the region boasts professionals like Engr. Emeka Ene, a pioneer in gas infrastructure and former CEO of Oildata Energy Group, and Dr. Austin Avuru, co-founder of Seplat Petroleum, whose transformative leadership elevated indigenous participation in Nigeria’s energy sector. These individuals exemplify the competence that should qualify them for roles like the NNPC’s top job, yet the federal government’s appointments tell a different story—one where merit is overshadowed by regional bias.
The irony is stark: the South East’s resources are integral to projects like the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, yet the region itself remains disconnected from the infrastructure designed to transport its own gas. As noted in the Daily Query editorial, even newly approved gas pipelines continue this trend of exclusion, mirroring colonial-era extraction where resources are harvested but host communities see no development. This systemic neglect has drawn criticism from voices like Prof. Anya O Anya, an erudite commentator, who likens the South East’s treatment to that of a “conquered territory,” and Sen. Abaribe, who condemns the disparity as “economic apartheid.” The UN has echoed these concerns, warning in a 2022 report that such marginalization risks inflaming tensions in a nation already grappling with regional divides.
Yet the responsibility does not lie solely with the federal government. South East political leaders, as the editorial rightly argues, have often prioritized personal gain over collective advocacy. While they parade symbols of wealth—private jets, luxury estates—their failure to unite and demand representation in strategic sectors like the NNPC reveals a complicity in their people’s marginalization. This complacency undermines the potential for progress, as the region’s exclusion from energy leadership stifles opportunities for industrial growth and job creation. The consequences are dire: youth disillusionment fuels separatist movements, and Nigeria’s economy misses out on the innovative prowess of Igbo professionals who could drive sustainable energy solutions.
The path to redress demands urgent action. Nigeria must enforce equitable representation in appointments to entities like the NNPC, ensuring that the South East’s expertise is leveraged rather than ignored. Infrastructure projects must prioritize the regions that host the resources, and policies like the Petroleum Industry Act should actively engage Igbo stakeholders. Political leaders from the South East must shed their complacency, forming a united front to demand inclusion. As the Daily Query editorial underscores, Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, but this diversity must be reflected in its leadership. Until the South East transitions from spectator to participant in sectors it enriches, the nation’s promise of unity will remain unfulfilled—a loss for all Nigerians.
©️Agbeze Ireke Kalu Onuma, AI-KO
April 2025
Iagbeze@msn.com
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