Soneye: Shaping The Legacy Of A National Energy Power House, By Chidi Okereke
It is often said that the reward for hard work is more work. What is not added to this universally acknowledged truism is that with more work underpinned by a commitment to excellence, comes recognition for the individual so committed.
This is the story of Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Soneye, a journalist, brand strategist and PR specialist, has since his appointment as NNPCL’s spokesman on October 18, 2023, revolutionized the company’s public communications’ process. From being viewed as an opaque organization reluctant to open its doors to public scrutiny, Soneye, with the support of the company’s management has repositioned NNPCL as a public-friendly and transparent organization always willing to engage its external public in a professional and creative manner.
One way Soneye’s imprint is visible, is in his relationship with the members of the Nigerian media, who in times past wearied themselves agonizing over how to break down the communications barrier between them and the NNPC. With Soneye’s coming, that wall has collapsed and both parties now enjoy a cordiality built on mutual respect.
And it is not only the Nigerian media that has been won over by Soneye’s communication’s prowess. The Nigerian public long used to viewing the oil behemoth as “an evil empire” of where the Neapolitan Mafia’s code of silence is the operative, has had to have a rethink as the NNPCL’s spokesman masterfully re-engineers the organization’s public communication’s process to give Nigerians a clear insight to its operations and activities.
One of the ways he earned the trust and confidence of Nigerians is through his pioneering approach to digital media, which has brought a vibrant edge to the company’s online presence—making the NNPCL more accessible, interactive, and visible to a wider audience.
With this predilection toward excellence and openness, Soneye has become of Nigeria’s most visible and respected corporate spokesmen. Some would even insist he is miles ahead of the others.
A pointer to this is the series of professional awards he has garnered in short period he has been with the NNPCL.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Soneye beat an experienced field of spokespersons, which included Shell Petroleum’s Igo Weli, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to emerge the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) “Spokesperson of the Year 2025”.
The award, prestigious by every standard, was presented to him during a colourful and well-attended event, which held at the nation’s capital.
Before nicking the overall award that night, he had edged Shell’s Igo Weli and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesman, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, to clinch the “Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas)” award.
His win in the Oil and Gas category was a repeat of his outing at the same event in 2024 where he beat Shell Companies’ Michael Adande and Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals’ Dr. Johnson Nkwocha to the prize.
In his remarks on Wednesday night, Dr. Shaibu Hussein, Chairman of the Adjudication Committee, represented by committee member Lami Tuiaka, emphasized that the selection process was intense and thorough. He described Soneye as a diligent and strategic communicator whose ability to influence public opinion, handle crises effectively, and create impactful messaging set him apart from others.
“Our team of communication experts, PR professionals, and media figures worked extensively to assess the nominees based on communication skills, crisis management abilities, and overall public impact,” he stated.
Presenting the award to Soneye, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Joshua Audu Ghana, commended the NNPCL spokesman noting that the Soneye’s achievement and confirmed that NIPR will celebrate him throughout 2025 as the award’s titleholder.
“On behalf of NIPR Award Night 2025, I proudly present this plaque to our Spokesperson of the Year, Mr. Olufemi Soneye,” he stated.
In his acceptance speech, Soneye dedicated the award to the entire NNPCL communications team.
“I am truly honoured to be named Spokesperson of the Year by NIPR. This award is not mine alone. It belongs to the exceptional team I work with every day.
From the beginning, I made a vow to be a transparent and professional spokesperson committed to timely, impactful and accurate communication. This award reinforces our shared dedication to raising the bar in public communication and serving the Nigerian public with integrity.
“As I always say, NNPC is our collective asset and belongs to all Nigerians. We remain committed to keeping the public informed and involved in our activities as we continue to ensure energy security for our nation”.
It is not hard to take him for his word. A seasoned professional who brought with him decades of international media experience across Nigeria, Australia, and the United States, where he previously served as Editor of the prestigious US Air Force One Magazine at Joint Base Andrews, Washington, D.C, Soneye has as CCCO of NNPCL, transformed the Corporate Communications Division, aligning it as a core business enabler within NNPC Ltd. His leadership has inspired a new era of professionalism, agility, and strategic storytelling across the company.
Under his adept management of the public communications process, the NNPC brand has witnessed remarkable elevation and with a 360-degree approach to branding, has repositioned the company as a trusted and proudly Nigerian energy brand.
In addition, Soneye institutionalization of a proactive crisis management mechanism has ensured that NNPCL is never caught off guard. His foresight and swift interventions have consistently protected the corporate image of the company.
Mr. Olufemi Soneye is not just building narratives—he’s shaping the legacy of a national energy powerhouse.
