The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr Olufemi Soneye, has been named the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Spokesperson of the Year 2025.
In a keenly contested category in Abuja on Wednesday, he defeated the spokespersons of Shell Petroleum, Igo Weli; Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi; SIFAX Group, Olumuyiwa Akande; and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mr Osagie Edward, to clinch the award.
Soneye’s path to the NIPR 2025 award began in the “Distinguished Spokesperson (Oil and Gas)” category, where he outperformed the spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, and Shell’s Igo Weli.
His excellence as a spokesperson had also been recognised at the 2024 edition of the contest. Last year, he beat the spokesperson of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Michael Adande, and that of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Dr Johnson Nkwocha, to win the same “Distinguished Spokesperson in Oil and Gas” award.
In 2025, the NIPR described Soneye as a “diligent” spokesperson and “a strategist”.
According to the Chairman of the Adjudication Committee, Dr Shaibu Hussein, Soneye’s ability to shape public opinion distinguished him among his peers.
Represented by a committee member, Lami Tuiaka, Hussein noted that the award process was rigorous and thorough.
Our committee, comprising communication scholars, PR practitioners, and media personalities, worked tirelessly to review the nominations, assess performances, and deliberate on the winner.
We carefully examined each nomination, considering factors such as communication skills, crisis management, and overall impact,” he stated.
Presenting him with the plaque at the National Spokespersons Awards 2025, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Hon Joshua Audu Ghana, who chaired the event, said the institute would celebrate Soneye throughout 2025 as the current NIPR Spokesperson of the Year.
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 in celebrating our latest spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, whom we will honour throughout 2025.”
In his acceptance speech, Soneye attributed the award to the dedication of the entire team at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
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 thank NIPR for all they continue to do.”
