Nigeria’s NNPC chief Shehu Ladan removed; Oniwon takes over; Ladan likely pick for Kaduna State deputy Governor.

Special to USAfricaonline.com and CLASSmagazine, Houston.

Abuja, Nigeria – Officials say the new managing director of Nigeria’s state oil company has been fired.

A spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan said Monday that Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. director Shehu Ladan had been removed from his position. The spokesman said Austin Oniwon, director of the state oil firm’s refinery and petrochemical division, would take over as managing director.

The spokesman also said the president “ordered a comprehensive audit” of the state oil company’s accounts.

Ladan’s firing comes only a month after he took over at the state oil company. He replaced former director Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, who the president also fired without giving a reason.

Nigeria is one of the top suppliers of crude oil to the U.S. AP