The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the retirement of over 200 staff members who have less than a year to reach the mandatory retirement age.

The move is part of the corporation's efforts to restructure and streamline its workforce.

According to a statement released by the NNPC, the affected staff members were notified of their retirement through a letter signed by the Corporation's Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari.

The letter stated that the retirement is in line with the NNPC's policy of retiring staff who have attained a certain age or have reached a certain level of service.

The NNPC stated that the decision to retire the staff members was taken to ensure that the corporation is able to effectively manage its workforce and achieve its strategic objectives.

The corporation also stated that the retired staff members will receive their full retirement benefits and entitlements as provided for in the NNPC's pension scheme.

The affected staff members are reported to be from various departments and units within the NNPC, including the upstream, downstream, and corporate services sectors.

The retirement of these staff members is expected to create opportunities for younger and more energetic staff to take on leadership roles and contribute to the growth and development of the corporation.

The NNPC has assured that the retirement of the staff members will not disrupt the operations of the corporation, as arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth transition of duties and responsibilities.

The corporation has also pledged to continue to support the retired staff members through its pension scheme and other post-retirement benefits.

The retirement of the NNPC staff members is part of a broader effort by the corporation to reposition itself for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

The NNPC has been undergoing a series of reforms and restructuring efforts aimed at improving its operations and increasing its contribution to the Nigerian economy.

The move has been welcomed by industry stakeholders, who see it as a necessary step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the NNPC.

"The retirement of the staff members is a bold move by the NNPC to reposition itself for the future," said an industry expert. "It will create opportunities for younger staff to take on leadership roles and bring new ideas and energy to the corporation."

The NNPC is Nigeria's state-owned oil corporation, responsible for the exploration, production, and marketing of the country's oil and gas resources. The corporation is a major player in the Nigerian economy, and its operations have a significant impact on the country's revenue and economic development.