The appointment of Jean‑Marc Cordier as head of the oil‑trading arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has sparked mixed reactions among industry experts and operators. Cordier will lead NNPC Trading Ltd, a subsidiary of NNPCL, a decision announced in Abuja by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba‑Deen Muhammad. While some analysts expressed resentment, others saw no cause for concern.
Energy expert and CEO of Sage Consulting, Bode Fadipe, questioned the appointment of a foreigner to such a strategic position. He asked whether qualified Nigerians are available, whether expatriates are now investors or part of a joint venture, and whether NNPC Ltd has sold any shares to the public. “To the best of my knowledge, the Nigerian government still owns the shares in NNPCL,” Fadipe said, adding that this is the first time he has seen such an appointment in the national oil company and describing it as “abnormal” and “an anomaly” that warrants further interrogation.
In contrast, legal consultant and energy‑law advisor Prof. Yemi Oke argued that the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 permits the appointment of expatriates, provided the company complies with the expatriate quota and can demonstrate a lack of locally skilled manpower for the technical role. He noted that other Nigerian firms also employ expatriates under similar conditions.
An unnamed source within the national oil firm, who requested anonymity, indicated that most commercially viable NNPCL subsidiaries will be managed by expatriates moving forward. “Units such as NNPC Retail, NETCO, and NPDC are expected to have expatriate leadership, with M3‑grade staff limited to administrative duties,” the source said. He warned that placing expatriates in M3 positions—below Executive Vice President (M2) and Group CEO (M1)—could create rivalry and conflict, potentially affecting the company’s productivity.
When asked why expatriates would be appointed to commercially viable units already managed by Nigerians, the source suggested the goal might be to boost productivity, net profit, efficiency, and operational effectiveness. NNPCL’s statement highlighted Cordier’s credentials: a former Vice President of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, a French‑Swiss national with a Master’s degree in Corporate Finance (Distinction) from Paris 9 University, and over 30 years of experience in physical oil, oil derivatives, risk management, and trading business development.
President of the Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, Kunle Olubiyo, criticized the move, arguing it undermines the federal government’s local‑content drive. “If there are competent Nigerians who can perform this job, why look abroad? NNPCL is a national company with a mandate to refine petroleum products. Appointing a foreigner signals a misalignment with its purpose,” he said.
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