NAPIMS GGM Wins Ministerial Award at Nigeria Energy Summit

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, has won the ministerial award for outstanding performance.

Wunti got the award on the sidelines of the just-concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) which took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
The work for the award which was presented by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, covered between 2019 and 2021.

 A citation on Wunti read at the event, described him as a thoroughbred oil and gas industry professional with 30 years’ experience covering technical, commercial, managerial and executive roles across the entire oil and gas value chain.

A graduate of Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello University, the citation stated that the awardee further holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Since joining the NNPC,  it stressed that Wunti has held a several key positions in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, where he has performed excellently.

Wunti, who is currently the GGM, NAPIMS, had previously served as the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Group General Manager, Corporate Planning & Strategy and Senior Technical Adviser to five different Group Managing Directors of NNPC, amongst others.

In addition, it noted that the recipient had successfully led some critical national assignments and from 2019–2021 has ensured that all responsibilities assigned to him were thoroughly and satisfactorily carried out.

 “His key achievements include that he coordinated the Nigerian Upstream Cost Optimisation Programme (NUCOP); an industry initiative to reduce unit operating cost to sub $10 per barrel and contracting cycle to six months,” it noted.

Wunti was also said to have deployed asset-based business architecture to streamline portfolio management and enhance focus in NAPIMS.

In addition, he coordinated the development and implementation of commercial solutions that resolved various protracted industry disputes which will unlock major investments of over $20 billion in the deepwater and shallow water in Nigeria.

He was also said to be instrumental to the expanded PPMC’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by about N2.1 billion ($5.8 million) annually through enhanced collection of PEF statutory fees.

Furthermore, Wunti formulated and operationalised the ‘Operation White’ programme to instil transparency and accountability in the supply and distribution of petroleum products nationwide and eliminate product diversion to neighbouring countries.

“He restructured the PPMC commercial division for end-to-end visibility of petroleum products supply and to reposition the organisation for enhanced profitability.
“He also ensured steady supply of petroleum products nationwide as Managing Director of the PPMC,” the citation stated.

Currently, Wunti also serves as Nigeria’s National Representative in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and as Technical Member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Economic Board.

The recipient, who lauded the ministry for finding him worthy of the award, pledged to ensure that the goals and objectives of the NNPC as they concern his area of responsibility as the NAPIMS boss are met and indeed surpassed.