More than 70 per cent of employees eligible for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s early retirement programme have expressed interest in participating, according to company officials familiar with the process.
The initiative, introduced under the Accelerated Exit Scheme (AES) and Voluntary Exit Scheme (VES), is part of the company’s ongoing workforce restructuring aimed at improving operational efficiency, supporting long-term transformation goals, and creating opportunities for younger professionals.
Under the arrangement, the AES targets workers scheduled to retire in 2026, while the VES covers employees due for statutory retirement in 2027 and staff on the SS1 grade level expected to retire between 2028 and 2030.
Officials who spoke anonymously said the programme is entirely voluntary and that no employee is being pressured to leave the organisation. They explained that the scheme offers attractive benefits to staff who choose to retire earlier than their scheduled retirement dates.
The clarification follows concerns and speculation that some workers might be facing pressure to exit the company as part of the ongoing restructuring exercise.In a message to employees last month, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, described the programme as part of a broader organisational transformation designed to align the workforce with the company’s future direction.According to him, the initiative is intended to manage workforce transitions responsibly while ensuring organisational renewal and sustainability.Company sources explained that the scheme serves a dual purpose: providing favourable retirement opportunities for employees nearing retirement and creating space for new talent to join the organisation.
One official noted that such programmes are common in large organisations and should not be viewed as forced retrenchment.
The source added that employees who choose to participate will receive financial packages based on the terms of the scheme, while those who prefer to remain until their statutory retirement dates are free to do so.NNPC maintains that the programme is a strategic workforce management initiative designed to support both employees and the company’s long-term objectives.
