Mr. Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has been named Spokesperson of the Year 2025 by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during the prestigious National Spokespersons Awards held in Abuja on April 17.
Earlier this year, Soneye secured the Distinguished Spokesperson in Oil and Gas accolade at the NIPR event on March 27, a testament to his effective leadership in repositioning Africa’s largest oil and gas company . At the 2025 ceremony, he edged out other notable finalists including Shell’s Igo Weli, the Nigeria Police Force’s ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Sifax Group’s Olumuyiwa Akande, and NIMASA’s Osagie Edward .
In his acceptance speech, Soneye reaffirmed his dedication to maintaining professional, accurate, and timely communication, dedicating the honour to the entire NNPCL media team. He emphasised that “this recognition is not mine alone—it belongs to the exceptional team I work with every day” . He further extended heartfelt gratitude to NNPCL’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele Kyari, for his unwavering support in strengthening the company’s corporate messaging .
NIPR’s adjudication panel described Soneye as a “diligent” and “strategic” communicator with notable crisis management acumen and the ability to shape public opinion, setting him apart from peers . Ministerial and parliamentary representatives, including Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon. Joshua Audu Ghana, presented the award, confirming the rigorous evaluation and high stakes of the competition .
This latest award builds on Soneye’s earlier 2024 distinction in the same category, affirming his standout communication leadership since his appointment in October 2023 .
Soneye’s recognition is not only personal but reflects the broader strides NNPCL has made in strategic communication and brand visibility. His role remains central as the company continues to position itself transparently within Nigeria’s energy landscape.
