President Muhammadu Buhari will appoint a new group managing director for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the event that Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is confirmed as a minister by the Senate.

The screening of the first batch of 21 ministerial nominees begins today (Tuesday).

Kachikwu was appointed GMD of NNPC in August and was nominated as minister by President Buhari. Before then, he was former executive vice chairman and general counsel of Exxon Mobil (Africa).

A presidency official said “The thinking in the Presidency is that as a minister, Kachikwu cannot be a regulator and an operator at the same time.

“We have had instances in the past when the two portfolios were combined, but the Presidency does not think along this line at present. Kachikwu is an asset; this is why he is moving up.

“After the inauguration of the ministers, a new GMD may be appointed by the President after consultations with Kachikwu and other stakeholders.”

But according to another presidency official, President Buhari has been very “uncomfortable” with some of the actions, pronouncements and in-house changes made by Kachikwu since he became the helmsman at NNPC.

Read More: dailytimes