Nigerian Twins Shatter Myths as Both Earn NNPC Jobs on Pure Merit

In a country where recruitment into major public institutions is often assumed to depend on political clout and personal connections, identical twin brothers Hussaini and Hassan Malami have proven that hard work, competence, and preparation still yield results.

The duo officially joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited as part of the highly competitive 2026 “Tigers Class,” disproving long-standing public assumptions surrounding the national oil company’s hiring practices.

Their achievement challenges two major rumors that have discouraged young graduates for years: that candidates require insider connections to secure a spot, and that NNPC maintains a rule preventing two members of the same family from being hired simultaneously.

The path to recruitment was driven by twin persistence. Hussaini, who harbored a long-standing desire to build a career in the energy sector, applied immediately when recruitment opened and urged his brother to do the same. Hassan, a civil engineer working in the banking sector who aspired to join the Nigerian Air Force, initially hesitated. Discouraged by the unsuccessful attempts of three older siblings and worried that applying might compromise his brother’s chances, Hassan only submitted his application shortly before the deadline following continued encouragement from Hussaini.

Operating independently throughout the recruitment drive, the brothers sat for their computer-based tests in separate states—Hussaini in Sokoto and Hassan in Kaduna. After advancing through the interview stages, both received their employment letters on the same day.

Hussaini has been deployed to NNPC Exploration & Production Limited, while Hassan joined NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company. Reflecting on their journey, the twins encouraged young job seekers across Nigeria to ignore cynical rumors and put their skills to the test, noting that merit and determination remain the ultimate factors in opening doors at top national institutions.