Olufemi Soneye has announced his resignation as the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Soneye, who held the post for nearly two years, broke the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on Saturday, where he explained that it was time to step back and give more attention to his personal life.
“I wish to inform you that I have stepped aside from my role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd. This decision will allow me to devote more time to my family and attend to personal responsibilities that now require my closer presence,” he wrote.
The announcement quickly drew reactions from friends, colleagues, and industry watchers, many of whom praised his professionalism and grace in handling the tough job of managing public communication for the national oil company.
Soneye described his time at NNPCL as nothing short of an honour and said he was proud of the role he played during the company’s transformation phase.
“It has been a profound honour to serve both the Company and our country, and to contribute in my own way to the ongoing transformation of NNPC Ltd,” he stated.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust reposed in me, the opportunities granted, and the incredible professionals both within and outside the organisation with whom I have worked.”
Though he is stepping down, Soneye said he would always remain a supporter and ambassador of the company and called on his colleagues in the media to keep doing what they do best: holding the company accountable while supporting its mission.
According to him, “I remain a steadfast supporter and ambassador of NNPC Ltd wherever I go. I enjoin you, dear colleagues, to continue your robust, balanced, and constructive reportage to support the Company’s noble mission and strategic role in Nigeria’s energy future.”
Soneye was appointed to the role in October 2023, succeeding Garba Muhammad. Before then, he had carved out an impressive international journalism career, with stints in Nigeria, Australia, and the United States. He once served as Editor of the US Air Force One Magazine in Washington, D.C., and also led the Nigerian Media Practitioners group in the US capital.
A thoroughbred professional, Soneye holds membership in key media bodies including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Association of Black Journalists. He is also part of the Guild of Corporate Online Media Publishers.
In recognition of his work, he was named “Spokesperson of the Year” twice in a row—first in 2024 and again in 2025—by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
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