Journalist Femi Soneye has departed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as its spokesman, Peoples Gazette was told. 

Mr Soneye, a prominent news reporter and publisher, served as media manager at the state-run oil firm for about two years before his exit this weekend, following leadership consideration, The Gazette heard.”I wish to inform you that I have stepped aside from my role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd,” Mr Soneye said in a statement Saturday morning, adding that the move will “allow me to devote more time to my family and attend to personal responsibilities that now require my closer presence.”

Mr Soneye was a newspaper editor and publisher of multimedia outlet PerSecondNews before joining NNPC in 2023, where he worked closely with the organisation’s erstwhile chief executive Mele Kyari. 

He soon emerged a favourite of media practitioners for his prompt response to media enquiries and dexterity in handling often-provocative public controversies.

His management of the oil group’s image was immediately noticed, with social media commentators commending him for handling issues ranging from fuel distribution crises to unnerving partnerships with firms like the Dangote Group. 

Mr Soneye thanked the NNPC management for allowing him to serve in this role, saying he would continue to be an ambassador for the company, which was restructured into a private business with public backing. 

“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 said. “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.”

NNPC was established in 1977 to trade and manage Nigeria’s oil wealth, with most of its earnings going into the federation account for onward distribution to states and federal entities. It became a limited liability firm in 2022 following the adoption of the Petroleum Industry Act. 

It was not immediately clear when a replacement for Mr Soneye would be announced by the firm’s leadership, now led by Bayo Ojulari.