Silent Shifts and Strategic Shadows: The French Connection at Nigeria’s NNPCL

Oblong Media Unlimited Special Report
April 2025

By Oblong Media Investigative Desk
http://www.oblongmedia.net

A quiet yet potentially consequential reshuffle has taken place within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and it’s raising critical questions among watchers of West African geopolitics and energy diplomacy.

The Appointments That Sparked Concern

In a surprise move, the leadership of Nigeria’s oil behemoth, NNPCL, was overhauled:

Musa Kida was appointed as Chairman of the Board.

Olufemi Oladapo Ojulari took the helm as the new Chief Executive Officer.

On the surface, these appear to be routine corporate leadership changes. But here’s where it gets interesting, and politically sensitive.

Musa Kida is a seasoned oil executive who spent the bulk of his career with TOTAL Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, the French multinational.

Ojulari has a long track record with Elf Petroleum and TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, also French-owned.

These two executives are not just casual hires. They are deeply entrenched in France’s corporate oil ecosystem. And that connection has sparked speculation about the extent of French influence now embedded within Nigeria’s most strategic national asset, oil.

“French First?” – Language and Symbolism

One viral message that made rounds on social media claimed that Musa Kida speaks French more fluently than English, a symbolic red flag to some who view language as a marker of cultural and strategic allegiance.

Although this claim remains unverified, it feeds into a broader narrative: Has France, having lost its military and economic grip over Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, quietly repositioned itself within Nigeria?

And fueling that suspicion is this: shortly after these appointments, President Tinubu reportedly made a quick trip to France, prompting questions about timing and motive.

Oblong Media Unlimited Fact-Check: What’s True, What’s Not?

Our research team conducted a detailed fact-check of the viral claims. Here’s what we found:

1. Musa Kida’s Connection to TOTAL – TRUE

Kida served in various senior executive roles at Total Nigeria Plc, including Deputy Managing Director. His deep roots in the French energy conglomerate are well documented.

Verdict: ✔️ Accurate

2. Ojulari’s Background with Elf Petroleum – MOSTLY TRUE

Ojulari previously worked at Elf Petroleum, now a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, where he rose to senior executive levels. His professional history is firmly linked to French-controlled oil interests, though Elf merged into TOTAL over two decades ago.

Verdict: ⚠️ Mostly Accurate, with historical context

3. Kida Speaks French Better Than English – UNVERIFIED

There is no official or credible public record confirming this. While it is plausible given his career, the claim remains speculative.

Verdict: ❌ Unconfirmed/Speculative

4. Tinubu Rushed to France After the Appointments – MISLEADING

President Tinubu indeed visited France in June 2023, shortly after assuming office, but this was to attend a global financial summit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. His other France-related visits have had diplomatic or economic development purposes. There is no confirmed link tying his travel to the NNPCL reshuffle.

Verdict: ⚠️ Misleading – timing doesn’t directly align

5. France Lost Three Former Colonies (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso) – TRUE (Contextual)

All three nations recently expelled French military forces and suspended diplomatic relations with Paris. While they gained formal independence decades ago, recent developments reflect a rejection of France’s lingering influence in the region.

Verdict: ✔️ Broadly Accurate, but simplified

6. France is Quietly Taking Over Nigeria’s Oil Industry – UNPROVEN

While France’s corporate footprint in Nigeria’s oil sector is undeniable, there is no verified evidence that suggests a coordinated French state takeover or strategic control via appointments. The theory remains speculative.

Verdict: ❌ No Verifiable Evidence

Summary of Findings

Oblong Media Analysis: Between Influence and Paranoia

The facts show legitimate concern over foreign influence in Nigeria’s oil sector, especially as French-linked professionals are now at the helm. But we must separate observable facts from speculative narratives.

Yes, there is a visible French corporate presence, and yes, the timing raises important geopolitical questions. But without clear proof of state-backed strategic takeover, any claims of a “French oil coup” remain in the realm of informed suspicion, not fact.

That said, Nigeria must urgently revisit its energy sovereignty. Our strategic sectors should be shielded from even the perception of external control. Appointments must prioritize national interest, transparency, and diversification, not foreign allegiance, perceived or real.

Conclusion:
While this is not a French invasion by stealth, it is a wake-up call. The Nigerian public, media, and civil society must continue to scrutinize high-level appointments in key national assets, and demand accountability, competence, and patriotic service above all.

Watch this space. The story isn’t over.

Oblong Media Unlimited
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