Former managing director of Nigeria national petroleum corporation is in the news again. Reports in the international media indicates he may emerge as the Secretary-General of the organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC), He was nominated as Nigeria's candidate by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The Nigeria oil technocrat and former NNPC boss has emerged as front runner to emerge as Secretary-General of OPEC.
Barkindo is regarded as a compromise candidate to lead OPEC following rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the position. He led NNPC from 2009 to 2010 and served as acting sec-gen of OPEC in 2006.
He has been a key player in the Nigeria oil industry for a while and got to the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed the NNPC managing director on monday, January 12, 2009.
OPEC has been looking for a replacement for its immediate past sec-gen, Libya's Abdullah al-Badri who finished serving his full terms last year July.
Although, al-Badri's tenure might be extended for another six months as a horse trading in OPEC countries.
Mohammad Barkindo's appointment is said be by no means certain.
OPEC oil ministers meet tomorrow, June 2 in Vienna. The consensus of all members is required for the application of a new sec-gen.
Appointed by late president Umaru Yar'Adua, Barkindo led NNPC from 2009 to 2010 and served as acting sec-gen of OPEC in 2006. He was fired by former president Goodluck Jonathan.
His career in NNPC spanned more than 23 years. He also served on OPEC's economic commission and held various high ranking positions during his time.
He was also head of NNPC's London office, managing director of NNPC's oil and gas trading division, and an NNPC group executive director.
He's a reasonably safe pair of heads and good for a more administrative role like sec-gen. He also knows the ropes at OPEC from when he was Lukman's right hand man, a senior industry source in Nigeria confirmed to Reuters.
