A high-profile oil executive with close family ties to Nigeria’s leading opposition figure is causing unease within President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle, as attention turns toward the 2027 elections.
At the centre of growing scrutiny is Bayou Ojulari, the newly appointed head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), over allegations that he awarded lucrative contracts to Bashir Husky, a politically influential businessman who is married to the daughter of opposition leader and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Husky, 38, rose to prominence in Nigeria’s oil sector in 2019 after his company, Union for Oilfield Services, discovered oil in the Kolmani River well in Bauchi State—marking the first commercial oil find in northern Nigeria. His meteoric rise has sparked questions over the role of political connections in landing major energy deals.
Behind the Controversy
Ojulari is now under pressure to explain alleged preferential deals, including recent service contracts awarded to Mars Aviation, a firm linked to Husky. According to insiders, some members of the Tinubu administration fear these deals may inadvertently fund opposition campaign activities, especially as Atiku remains a likely challenger in the 2027 presidential race.
Observers say that Husky’s ties to the NNPC date back to 2016 when former CEO Maikanti Baru approved his company’s initial exploration deals—moves critics say reflect a familiar pattern in Nigeria’s oil sector where well-placed connections open doors to multimillion-dollar contracts.
Despite controversy, Husky maintains he is a self-made entrepreneur, describing himself as a “private investor and developer.” His group, II&R Investments, now spans multiple sectors including oil and gas, logistics, agriculture, IT, and aviation.
A Mixed Record of Legal Disputes
In 2021, Husky made headlines for attempting to acquire a controlling stake in oil fields previously operated by China’s Addax Petroleum. The bid led to a legal dispute with rival businessman Emeka Offor of Kaztec Engineering. The case was ultimately resolved in favour of NNPC, which reclaimed the fields.
Political Stakes and Strategic Risk
Sources close to the presidency say some Tinubu allies view the growing influence of Husky—a relative of Atiku—as a strategic liability, particularly as public scrutiny of government contracts intensifies ahead of a high-stakes election.
Meanwhile, Ojulari’s push to revive onshore oil drilling in the North, especially around Kolmani, is seen as a potential win for Husky’s companies, after years of NNPC prioritising offshore exploration due to the exit of major oil multinationals.
Public Profile and Philanthropy
Outside the boardroom, Husky has cultivated a strong public image in northern Nigeria through philanthropic work. His Abdullah Bashir Husky Foundation supports medical programmes and education for underprivileged communities and earned praise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, he was awarded the traditional title “Chiroma Ganye” in Adamawa State, the political stronghold of his father-in-law Atiku Abubakar.
While Husky continues to rise as a prominent player in both business and public life, his growing profile—and his proximity to NNPC leadership—has thrust him into the centre of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, where the lines between business, influence, and campaign strategy remain blurred.
