Bala Wunti appointed pioneer CEO of World Energy Council Nigeria

Bala Wunti has been named the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the World Energy Council (WEC) Nigeria, a role created after the Board of WEC Nigeria established an executive leadership structure for the organisation that joined the global Council in 1960. Wunti brings over thirty years of experience across Nigeria’s upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum sectors, including senior positions at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). As Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Services, he managed joint venture and Production Sharing Contract portfolios, participated in negotiations with international and indigenous energy firms, and helped renegotiate Nigeria’s Deep Offshore PSCs to resolve long‑standing commercial issues. He also led cost‑optimisation drives that cut production costs below $10 per barrel in some operations and headed the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, where he oversaw Operation White, a monitoring initiative to improve transparency in petroleum product distribution. Later, as Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at NNPC, he contributed to corporate strategy, investment planning and sustainability efforts during the firm’s shift to a commercially focused national energy company, and took part in commercial talks on LNG and gas sales while advocating greater domestic use of Nigeria’s natural gas. Internationally, Wunti represented Nigeria on the OPEC Economic Commission Board and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, adding to discussions on energy markets, security and gas development. Speaking on his appointment, he said 'Nigeria’s energy policy must be grounded in energy security, affordability, sustainability and national development, and that WEC Nigeria will provide a credible, impartial platform for government, industry, investors, academia and society to turn dialogue into investable solutions and measurable progress.' Under his leadership, the Council is expected to strengthen stakeholder dialogue, produce research on Nigeria’s energy priorities and link the country’s sector to the WEC’s international network.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/08/bala-wunti-appointed-pioneer-ceo-of-world-energy-council-nigeria/