EXCLUSIVE: NNPC denies rejecting HND graduates for graduate trainee program

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has denied rejecting HND graduates in the ongoing graduate trainee recruitment exercise.

It was gathered that HND graduates who scaled the computer based test (CBT) stage were being sent away from participating in their scheduled interview after travelling from different parts of the country to the FCT.

The HND graduates who participated in the exercise reported that the NNPC was using security at its head office in Abuja to chase them away for not possessing a Master’s degree after passing the CBT.

Recall that NNPC Limited in July 2024 opened its application portal for qualified candidates to apply for the graduate trainee programme.

The NNPC said graduate trainees are expected to support the implementation of its organisational processes, deliver cost-effective business outcomes, support line managers and supervisors to develop and implement strategic work plans across diverse functions and support delivery of project team assignments.

“Applicants must have any of the following minimum qualifications in the under listed disciplines: Bachelor’s Degree in the First Class/Second Class Upper Division.

“HND (Distinction), Bachelor’s Degree in the Second Class Lower Division with a completed Masters Degree, HND Upper Credit with a completed Masters Degree.

”Have graduated from an accredited university/polytechnic/monotechnic not earlier than 2019,” the company stated in announcing the recruitment exercise.

The oil firm also stated that candidates must have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, and not be “more than 28 years of age as of 31st December 2024”.

Applicants were also required to possess “good communications, computer, and interpersonal skills”.

According to the NNPC, disciplines required include sciences, engineering, business and management, social sciences, art and humanities, and law.

Our reporter confirms that the ongoing graduate trainee recruitment exercise of NNPC Limited has entered the interview stage after the CBT stage.

One of the HND graduates who was sent away told our reporter: “I applied for the graduate trainee programme and uploaded all required documents.

“I was shortlisted and was invited for the CBT via email, which I wrote and passed and was subsequently invited for the interview at NNPC towers in Abuja.

“I travelled from my state of residence to the FCT to attend the interview today but was chased away by NNPC securities that I do not have a Master’s degree.

“I did not understand why I would be invited for the interview after passing the CBT when the NNPC knew I was not qualified. It is sad I have to travel down here to be chased away”.

Our reporter spoke with several HND graduates who shared similar experiences.

When contacted, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye said at no time did the company send any HND graduate away.

Soneye stressed that the NNPC made the requirements for the graduate trainee programme public and could not have sent any qualified candidate away.

“It is false. We did not send any applicants away. The graduate trainee recruitment exercise is going on smoothly.

“We sent out only candidates who did not meet the advertised criteria, specifically those with an HND Upper Credit without a Master’s degree.

“Candidates with an HND Distinction have been attending interviews, and there is no discrimination in the selection process.

“The process remains transparent and fair,” he said.

By Ediri Oyibo