When it comes to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, few things make headlines as quickly as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd). But this time, it isn’t a barrel price or production quota drawing attention — it’s a man.
In 2024, Champion Newspapers named Femi Soneye as its Media Manager of the Year, crowning him Nigeria’s standout professional in corporate communication and public relations. This recognition is more than a plaque on a shelf — it reflects how one professional’s approach to transparency, factual storytelling, and stakeholder engagement can redefine the public image of Nigeria’s most strategically vital institution.
Let’s unpack what this award means, how Soneye rose to this point, what he’s done differently at NNPC, and why this moment matters not just for him, but for the oil and gas giant — and the nation.
Who is Femi Soneye?
Femi Soneye is far from new to the newsroom or the corporate boardroom. Before stepping into his pivotal role at NNPC Ltd, he carved out a robust reputation as an international journalist and media strategist.
He founded and edited Per Second News, an online news outlet known for timely, factual reporting. His journalism portfolio isn’t confined to local bylines — it stretches across reputable outlets and includes stories that tackled policy, governance, and energy markets with an insider’s clarity.
Beyond news writing, Soneye developed deep expertise in media strategy and crisis communication. He’s advised high-level executives and institutions on how to manage narratives in high-stakes environments. This fusion of editorial sharpness and boardroom communication acumen became the perfect toolkit for handling the demands of an energy giant that often finds itself under intense public scrutiny.
When the call came to lead corporate communications at NNPC Ltd, Soneye brought not just a press badge, but a vision — to make NNPC’s voice louder, clearer, and undeniably trustworthy.
The NNPC Award: 2024 Media Manager of the Year
The Champion Newspapers Excellence Awards, where Soneye received the Media Manager of the Year title, has built a reputation for recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify outstanding performance and national impact.
In Soneye’s case, the judges cited his role in elevating the image of NNPC Ltd through strategic communication, fact-based messaging, and proactive media engagement. These elements were critical at a time when public trust in national oil institutions is both fragile and crucial.
For context, the Nigerian oil and gas landscape has faced issues ranging from fuel subsidy debates to oil theft concerns and policy reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act. Effective, credible communication became a national necessity — not just a corporate luxury.
Soneye’s leadership ensured that NNPC’s positions on key issues weren’t lost in rumor mills or social media noise. He positioned the company as a reliable source of truth, whether addressing supply challenges or clarifying reform updates.
Being named Media Manager of the Year acknowledges this consistency, clarity, and credibility — qualities sorely needed and not easily sustained in Nigeria’s volatile information environment.
His Path to NNPC Ltd
Femi Soneye’s path to becoming the public face of communication for Nigeria’s largest oil company didn’t happen overnight. His journey is a study in how experience across journalism, digital media, and corporate communications can converge at a critical moment.
Early in his career, Soneye worked as a reporter covering governance, politics, and economic policies. He learned firsthand how public perception is shaped and reshaped by what is said — and what is left unsaid.
His entrepreneurial leap with Per Second News showed he could build a credible news platform from scratch, balancing speed with accuracy — an approach increasingly rare in the age of clickbait.
Transitioning to corporate communications, he advised companies in sectors ranging from energy to technology. This broadened his toolkit: he could craft press releases, manage crises, develop media training for executives, and coordinate large-scale stakeholder engagement.
By the time he took up the position at NNPC Ltd in 2023, Soneye already knew that Nigeria’s oil giant needed more than generic PR. It needed strategic narrative control, fact-based engagement, and a relationship of trust with the Nigerian public.
How Soneye Shaped NNPC’s Public Image
So, what exactly has Soneye done differently at NNPC Ltd? In a word: transparency.
Traditionally, national oil companies in Nigeria have operated behind opaque layers — fueling speculation and rumor, especially during crises like fuel scarcity or subsidy disputes. Soneye introduced a communication strategy built on proactive disclosures and regular updates.
When fuel queues lengthen in Lagos or Abuja, NNPC’s communication team under Soneye swiftly informs the public about supply status, expected delivery times, and clarifies misinformation circulating on social platforms.
Internally, he reorganized the way the corporate communication unit interacts with other NNPC departments — ensuring that newsworthy information flows quickly to the public instead of getting buried under bureaucracy.
Externally, he nurtured stronger media relations. Journalists now get faster, clearer responses — a big departure from the silence or evasiveness that used to frustrate the press.
Beyond crisis communication, Soneye has also emphasized storytelling: highlighting NNPC’s reform milestones, social investments, and sustainability efforts. Instead of reactive PR, he pushed for narrative building that showcases NNPC’s role in national development.
This hands-on, facts-first approach didn’t just calm rumors — it improved public confidence and positioned NNPC as a modern, responsible energy company, even in a tough operating climate.
Industry & Media Reactions
Inside the oil and gas industry, Soneye’s recognition has sparked nods of approval from peers and stakeholders who understand how pivotal trust is to this sector.
Energy analysts often note that investor sentiment in frontier markets like Nigeria can swing based on how well state-owned oil companies communicate. By making NNPC’s public messaging clearer and less reactive, Soneye has helped stabilize perceptions, at least in the public domain.
Journalists too have welcomed the shift. In an environment where sourcing official comment can be like pulling teeth, having a responsive, factual voice at NNPC has made reporting on the energy beat more accurate and less reliant on rumors.
PR practitioners see his win as inspiration: a signal that strategic, ethical communication still cuts through the noise. Many cite Soneye’s award as a benchmark for how to run high-stakes corporate communications without resorting to spin or over-polished statements that dodge tough truths.
Public sentiment has generally leaned positive. Nigerians online and offline have noted that updates from NNPC feel more timely and less defensive than before — a small but important trust dividend.
Why This Award Matters for NNPC
At first glance, some may dismiss an individual communication award as a personal milestone. But in the context of NNPC Ltd, Femi Soneye’s recognition reverberates deeper.
It signals a cultural shift inside Nigeria’s biggest and often most scrutinized company. For decades, stakeholders — from the man at the petrol station to global investors — have demanded clearer, timelier information about NNPC’s operations. Poor communication in the past has often fueled misinformation, panic buying, and public mistrust.
Soneye’s win shows that the company’s top brass is finally investing in top-tier media management. It means that transparency and factual dialogue are not just slogans but are being operationalized daily. This boost to corporate reputation helps NNPC engage better with partners, regulators, civil society, and the everyday Nigerian whose taxes and fuel costs tie directly into how the company is run.
Moreover, the credibility earned through improved communication can help cushion the impact when tough decisions — like subsidy removal or price adjustments — need public buy-in. Essentially, an award for one man highlights progress for an entire institution fighting to modernize its image and rebuild trust.
Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Communication
Femi Soneye’s achievement goes beyond NNPC Ltd. It raises the bar for how oil and gas firms — both state-run and private — handle public information in Nigeria.
Transparency isn’t just good PR; it’s now a competitive advantage. Companies that keep stakeholders informed tend to attract more stable investment and less regulatory pushback. Soneye’s work shows that even in a sector known for secrecy, proactive and credible engagement is possible.
His approach may influence regulators, policymakers, and industry executives to rethink their communication playbooks. Already, there’s chatter within industry forums that other companies are benchmarking their media strategies against NNPC’s recent style under his leadership.
For media professionals and PR practitioners, it’s a reminder that authentic storytelling, data-backed updates, and honest dialogue still win public trust. It’s a call to ditch the old habit of reactionary press statements and embrace a communication culture that’s both factual and human-centered.
Lessons for Emerging Media Managers
Femi Soneye’s journey holds valuable insights for young media managers, PR officers, and corporate storytellers across Nigeria and beyond.
First, a solid foundation in journalism can be a superpower. Understanding how newsrooms work makes it easier to anticipate questions, craft clear messages, and respect deadlines — critical skills that earn trust from reporters and editors.
Second, staying fact-based, even when facts are uncomfortable, pays off long term. Shortcuts or evasive spin might work for a day but undermine credibility that can take years to rebuild.
Third, adaptability matters. Soneye transitioned from writing news stories to managing complex corporate narratives. Each role added a layer to his expertise, preparing him for a high-stakes position in one of Africa’s most strategic industries.
Lastly, it’s about people. Even in a sector driven by rigs and refineries, it’s human connections — between institutions and citizens — that shape whether companies are trusted or doubted. Media managers who understand this are the ones who win awards and, more importantly, public goodwill.
What’s Next for Femi Soneye and NNPC
As 2024 progresses, industry watchers are keen to see how Soneye and his team build on this momentum.
One priority is sustaining open communication as Nigeria navigates subsidy reforms and implements aspects of the Petroleum Industry Act. This means keeping the public regularly informed about changes in fuel pricing, supply chain stability, and how government policies affect daily life.
Internally, Soneye is expected to deepen stakeholder engagement. This includes better community outreach, more accessible sustainability reports, and educational campaigns that help demystify the oil and gas sector for the average citizen.
The expectation is that the tone he has set — factual, proactive, and people-centered — becomes the permanent DNA of NNPC Ltd’s public relations. This will require ongoing staff training, better crisis simulation exercises, and closer collaboration with newsrooms across the country.
For Soneye personally, some in the industry speculate this award may open doors to wider influence, potentially positioning him as an advisor or thought leader on public sector communications beyond oil and gas. For now, though, his focus appears to remain firmly on making sure NNPC speaks clearly and credibly to every Nigerian.
Final Thoughts
Femi Soneye’s recognition as Champion Newspapers’ 2024 Media Manager of the Year is more than an accolade for an individual. It’s a snapshot of a broader transformation happening inside Nigeria’s most significant energy company — and a signpost for how other institutions can build trust in a country that sorely needs it.
Through clear messaging, fast response, and a commitment to facts, he has reshaped how millions see and hear from NNPC Ltd. In a nation where rumor can spread faster than pipelines can deliver fuel, that shift matters greatly.
As the oil and gas landscape evolves, stakeholders — from petrol station operators to global partners — will continue to measure NNPC not just by barrels produced but by words spoken. If Femi Soneye’s award tells us anything, it’s that those words, when truthful and timely, can turn even the biggest national institutions into trusted neighbors rather than distant bureaucracies.
