Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has announced his resignation from the role.
Soneye made the announcement in a Facebook post on Saturday, expressing gratitude to his colleagues and supporters for their encouragement throughout his 20-month tenure.
“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.
His post attracted a wave of applause and commendation from well-wishers. Reflecting on his time at NNPCL, Soneye described it as a privilege and said he was proud to have contributed to the company’s ongoing transformation.
He pledged continued support for the organisation, vowing to remain a “steadfast supporter and ambassador” of NNPCL. He also called on media professionals to maintain balanced and constructive reporting that aligns with the company’s goals.
“It has been a profound honour to serve both the Company and our country. I am deeply grateful for the trust reposed in me, the opportunities granted, and the incredible professionals—both within and outside the organisation—I had the pleasure of working with,” he added.
Soneye was appointed to the position on October 18, 2023, succeeding Garba Muhammad, who had taken the role in 2021 as part of a management shake-up.
Before joining NNPCL, Soneye enjoyed a distinguished career as an international journalist, working across Nigeria, Australia, and the United States. He served as Editor of the U.S. Air Force One Magazine in Washington, D.C., and was President of the Nigerian Media Practitioners in the U.S. capital.
He is also affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Guild of Corporate Online Media Publishers.
In recognition of his contributions to corporate communications, Soneye was named “Spokesperson of the Year” by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in both 2024 and 2025.
