By Bassey Udo
The former General Manager, External Relations & Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, has been appointed the new Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd)
A company statement on Tuesday in Abuja also announced the appointment of Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi as Chief Relations Officer.
The two appointees, described as seasoned executives, would play key leadership roles in the Group Public Affairs Department of the company, which remained without a meaningful leadership since the departure of the immediate past Chief Communications Officer, Olufemi Sonoye.
Mr. Odeh brings over three decades of extensive experience in communications and business administration across the oil and gas, advertising, and broadcasting sectors of the economy.
Prior to his latest appointment, Odeh worked with the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and built a career that spanned 26 years.
At the NLNG, Odeh held various leadership roles in Community Relations and Development; Business Logistics and Services; Information Management and Technology; Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Government Relations and Regulatory Compliance, before retiring recently as General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development.
Prior to his retirement, Odeh successfully managed the NLNG’s rebranding project and implemented one of Nigeria’s best-run micro-credit schemes for host communities.
He was also instrumental to the company’s institution of the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting for journalists.
An alumnus of the University of Jos, the University of Lagos, INSEAD Business School, and the Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), among others.
Mrs. Adewunmi is a legal professional with over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.
Her expertise is in stakeholder management and advocacy, particularly from her extensive tenure at the Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCIN).
Highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex external landscapes, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the company’s “License to operate”, Adewummi played key roles at Shell, including Regulatory Affairs Manager, where she managed all mandatory regulatory engagements and permits.
As the Government Relations Manager of the company, she built and maintained constructive relationships with the Presidency, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Mrs. Adewunmi is known for her strong leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to build robust stakeholder networks. Also, she is a subject matter expert on non-technical risks and has a background in law from the Nigerian Law School and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
The NNPC Ltd.. said Odeh and Adewunmi’s appointment reflects its commitment to enhance its communication and engagement with stakeholders.
