The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Olufemi Soneye, has emerged as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 2025 Spokesperson of the Year.
The announcement was made during the National Spokespersons Award held in Abuja on Wednesday night, where Soneye was celebrated for his exceptional work in public communication, crisis management, and media relations.
In a tough competition that featured leading corporate and government communication professionals, Soneye outshone his counterparts from the Nigeria Police Force, Shell Petroleum, Sifax Group, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Other notable contenders included ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi of the Police, Igo Weli of Shell, Olumuyiwa Akande of Sifax Group, and Osagie Edward of NIMASA.
Soneye’s journey to clinching the prestigious title began with his win in the “Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas)” category, where he triumphed over Chinedu Ukadike of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Igo Weli of Shell Petroleum. His performance in this category paved the way for his selection as the overall winner.
This is not Soneye’s first recognition by the NIPR. In 2024, he also bagged the “Distinguished Spokesperson in Oil and Gas” award, after beating top professionals such as Michael Adande of Shell and Dr. Johnson Nkwocha of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Chairman of the Adjudication Committee, Dr. Shaibu Hussein—represented by committee member, Lami Tuiaka—praised Soneye for his outstanding communication strategy, effective public relations practice, and ability to manage sensitive issues.
“Our committee, comprising communication scholars, PR practitioners, and media professionals, worked tirelessly to review all nominations. We considered factors such as communication skill, crisis management ability, and overall impact,” Tuiaka said.
The award was presented to Soneye by Hon. Joshua Audu Ghana, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, who lauded the NNPCL spokesperson’s performance and declared him the face of the NIPR Spokesperson Award for the rest of 2025.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, I am honoured to present the Spokesperson of the Year 2025 to Mr. Olufemi Soneye. We will continue to celebrate his achievements throughout the year,” Hon. Ghana said.
Visibly moved and speaking to a standing ovation, Soneye dedicated the award to the entire NNPCL team and praised their collective efforts.
“This award reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire team at NNPCL. I’m truly honoured to receive this from NIPR. It’s a recognition that belongs to all of us,” he said.
The NIPR, Nigeria’s foremost regulatory body for public relations and communications professionals, launched the National Spokespersons Awards to promote excellence in public communication across different sectors. It recognises individuals who have made significant impact in shaping public perception, managing institutional image, and handling communication during critical moments.
The award also aims to encourage ethical conduct, professionalism, and transparency in the discharge of public relations duties.
Olufemi Soneye, who joined NNPCL as Chief Corporate Communications Officer, has played a major role in improving the company’s public image, especially during sensitive reforms in the oil and gas sector. Under his watch, the company has been more visible in media engagement and crisis communication, especially in relation to petroleum pricing, subsidy removal, and operational transparency.
His communication style, described as direct, professional, and responsive, has been praised by both media professionals and industry experts. At a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile, Soneye has earned a reputation for making NNPCL’s positions clear and accessible to the average Nigerian.
With this latest recognition, Soneye joins the list of top professionals who have received the highest honour in the Nigerian public relations space.
Industry observers have noted that his back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025 affirm his consistency and strategic relevance in corporate communication, especially in a sector as complex as oil and gas.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is the regulatory body for public relations practice in Nigeria, established by Decree 16 of 1990 (now Act of the National Assembly). It seeks to promote professional standards, ethics, and capacity development for communication and public relations professionals in both public and private sectors.
The NIPR National Spokespersons Awards is one of its flagship events, rewarding excellence in categories such as Oil & Gas, Security, Finance, Health, and Governance.
As the 2025 Spokesperson of the Year, Soneye will represent the ideals of ethical communication, media relations, and public engagement throughout the year. He will also serve as a mentor and reference point for upcoming professionals in the PR industry.
