The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr Olufemi Soneye, has emerged as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) spokesperson of 2025.
He defeated the spokespersons of Shell Petroleum, Igo Weli; Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi; Sifax Group, Olumuyiwa Akande; and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Osagie Edward, to clinch the award.
His triumph in the NIPR 2025 award started from the category of Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas), from which he breasted the tape, outrunning Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Chief Chinedu Ukadike and Shell Petroleum Igo Weli.
Recall that Soneye’s footprint as an excellent spokesperson at the NIPR contest was also recorded in 2024.
Last year, he defeated the spokesperson of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Michael Adande and the spokesperson of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Dr Johnson Nkwocha, to clinch the “Distinguished Spokesperson in Oil and Gas” award.
In 2025, the NIPR described Soneye as a “diligent” spokesperson, stressing, “He is a strategist.”
Soneye’s capacity to shape public opinion also stood him out from the crowd of spokespersons, according to the Adjudication Committee Chairman, Dr Shaibu Hussein.
Represented by a member of the committee, Lami Tuiaka, the chairman said the starting moment to the conclusion of the award was rigorous and demanding.
He also predicted Soneye’s victory based on his communication skills, crisis management and overall impact.
“Our committee, comprising communication scholars, PR practitioners, and media personalities, worked tirelessly to review the nominations, assess performances and deliberate on the winner.
“I must report that we carefully examined each nomination, considering factors such as communication skills, crisis management and overall impact,” he said.
Presenting him the plaque at the National Spokespersons Award 2025, chairman of the event, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power, Hon. Joshua Audu Ghana, said the institute would celebrate Soneye throughout 2025 as the current NIPR spokesperson award winner.
His words: “On behalf of the NIPR Award Night 2025, I have the honour and privilege to present the Spokesperson of the Year 2025.
“Please join me to celebrate our latest spokesperson, whom we will celebrate throughout 2025, in the person of Olufemi Soneye.”
Responding, Soneye attributed his recognition by the NIPR with its most exalted spokesperson’s award to the dedication of the entire team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Amid a standing ovation, he said, “We are all happy and I am deeply honoured to receive this award tonight from NIPR. This award reflects the dedication of our entire team, and we want to thank NIPR for all they have been doing.”
