Birkindo was earlier appointed OPEC’s new Chief on June 2, 2016 for a three-year term in Vienna, but his appointment only became effective from 1st August 2016.
He replaced OPEC’s longest-serving Secretary General, Abdalla Salem El-Badri, who held the position in 1994 and then 2007–2016.
Announcing his assumption of office, OPEC in a statement said:
Advertisement
“His Excellency Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo of Nigeria assumed office today in his role as Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria.”
The decision to replace Badri was made at the previous OPEC meeting in the Austrian capital of Vienna on June 2.
Birkindo has held several key positions in various petroleum institutions.
He has also held several key roles at OPEC between 1986 and 2010.