Identical Nigerian twins, Hussaini and Hassan Malami, have secured employment with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as members of the NNPC Tigers Class of 2026, despite one of them initially hesitating to apply over a misconception about the company’s recruitment process.

The account was contained in a profile by Senior Communications Advisor, NNPC Limited, Adaobi Oniwinde, on Monday.

Hussaini, who had always aspired to work with NNPC, applied when recruitment opened and encouraged his twin brother, Hassan, to do the same.

Hassan, however, was initially reluctant, believing that NNPC recruited only one person from a family and not wanting to jeopardise his brother’s chances.

He was also more interested in joining the Nigerian Air Force and already had a job in the banking sector.

According to the profile, Hassan eventually applied after persistent encouragement from Hussaini and as the application deadline approached.

The twins subsequently took the computer-based recruitment test on the same day but in different locations, with Hussaini sitting for his in Sokoto and Hassan in Kaduna.

Following a recruitment process that included interviews, both brothers received employment letters on the same day.

Hussaini said he discovered the employment offer after midnight and was eager to share the news with his family.

“I opened the email after midnight and wanted to wake everybody up to tell them,” he said.

Hassan said he learnt about his successful application through the family WhatsApp group when he woke up.

“That’s when the pressure hit me. I was now nervous about the possibility of not being successful once Hussaini shared his news,” he said.

Both brothers eventually secured positions at NNPC, with Hussaini joining NNPC Exploration & Production Limited and Hassan joining NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company.

For Hassan, his new role has exposed him to aspects of Nigeria’s gas industry that were previously unfamiliar to him.

“I didn’t know there was a whole business dedicated to transporting gas,” he said.

“Now I’ve seen how gas powers plants and manufacturing companies. Hearing that gas is the future is one thing. Seeing how it is happening is another.”

Although Hassan had initially preferred a career in the military, he now considers his work in the energy sector another form of national service.

He said he still hoped to explore military service before reaching the age limit in 2030.

For Hussaini, his employment at NNPC has reinforced his interest in contributing to the development of the country’s energy sector.

He also expressed interest in becoming a guest lecturer at his university in the future, saying he hoped to share practical industry experience with students.

“When I was in university, I only had one lecturer with field experience,” he said. “I want to share practical experience with students someday.”

The twins identified different NNPC culture transformation pillars that best reflected their approaches to work.

Hussaini chose Enterprise First, saying, “Giving your best to the company is giving your best to the country.”

Hassan, a civil engineer, identified Execution Excellence, explaining, “I’m a civil engineer. I like seeing things come to life from concept to completion.”

The brothers also urged young Nigerians interested in joining NNPC to disregard rumours about the recruitment process and apply when opportunities arise.

“You don’t need to know anybody at NNPC. Apply. Take the test and earn your place,” they said.