It wasn’t 1,050 then. No. It was just 200. The year was 2002. On 22nd July, 2002, I resumed my appointment as a Graduate Trainee in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) having received my offer of employment some months earlier.
It all happened quickly. My good friends encouraged me to apply for the role but I was full of doubts that I could ever make it because, back then, it was generally believed that employment in NNPC was by connection. Thanks to Funsho Adeyemi, Sola Ajala and Gbenga Adesanwo, colleagues I met earlier at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, who insisted and persisted, up to even ensuring I filled the form which they submitted on my behalf. We had the entrance examination inside University of Lagos. There were so many of us as you would have imagined. Just like in this case, over 60,000 applicants took the test.
The then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, envisioned an NNPC that is all inclusive as far as the quota system is concerned but one based on merit in recruitment. In command of affairs at NNPC at the time was Jackson Gaius Obaseki – the Group Managing Director (GMD). Former President Obasanjo had determined that the recruitment was going to be purely based on merit and that external influences would not be allowed. Infact, a first batch of merit based recruits had been employed two years earlier in what was known as “Obaseki Boys & Girls” back then! Young, promising, and multi-talented Nigerians, with life ahead of them to serve their father land in repositioning the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.
One of the first lessons to be learnt is around the judicious use of money. To the new recruits, I want to wish a hearty congratulations. Welcome to the NNPC group. Welcome to the energy industry.
You will likely receive allowances that will be different from what you are used to. Use them well. Invest in fixed deposits, shares, landed property and assets. You will need your first car. Now that you have your dream job, you may as well add your dream wife!
The first three months was for induction and familiarisation with the organization. This was followed by one-year training as Graduate Trainees in various arms of NNPC operations, and some of the Joint Venture partner companies. That was a good experience. If you get one similar, utilize the opportunity well. Embrace learning with open mind. Ask questions and be detailed. Many of the 200 Graduate Trainees joined the multinational oil companies based on the experiences acquired during this one year training. Most of us stayed with NNPC. After the one-year training, you were deployed to your first assignment and potentially your duty post for some years to come. There will be opportunities for further training; to what degree will depend on the Strategic Business Units [SBUs](now known as ABUs- Autonomous Business Units) you are deployed. Please make good use of all training opportunities as this can mean your future as far as your career goals are concerned. By all means, further your education even if it appears doing so does not really matter as you will shortly find out.
The performances of the “Obaseki Boys & Girls” over the years within and outside NNPC is a testimonial that a merit-based recruitment, if sustained, will transform NNPC. From acting as Technical Advisers to top Management Staff, to being shortlisted for rapid promotion in high flyer schemes, and receiving special awards and citations in NNPC, members of the 2002 group (a.k.a Innovators 2002) have made useful impact within and outside NNPC.
One of the most important experience in our case is the fact that we created a group where all 200 of us recruited stayed in close contact. Through this, we have been able to foster great partnerships, enduring legacies and relationships. We even inter-marry! Although, from all states of the federation, we cohabit and remain firmly united, despite our different cultural, political, and religious views and leanings.
Very soon, and as predicted by former GMD Gauis Obaseki, we shall form the team of top Management in NNPC.
Today, we look back into those many years and wish the new recruits a warm welcome to our NNPC.
Engineer Idowu Oyebanjo is a member of the Innovators 002 of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)
