Oil professionals demand probe of NNPC, NUPRC over transparency concerns

Oil and gas professionals have called on the federal government to institute an independent investigation into the leadership and operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd., and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, over allegations of transparency lapses and concerns surrounding licensing, contract awards and oil production.

The professionals, operating under a forum convened by Ayodele Momoh, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday amid renewed public debate over production performance, licensing procedures and accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

The group said concerns about regulatory credibility, the integrity of bid rounds and transparency in the management of the country’s oil assets had continued to generate unease among industry stakeholders.

It argued that the oil sector could not continue to operate under what it described as a cloud of allegations and internal suspicion, while key institutions responsible for petroleum operations and regulation remained under public scrutiny.

The forum said the renewed calls for an investigation reflected growing concerns within the industry over the pace of reforms and the credibility of major decisions affecting the sector.

“Nigeria’s oil sector is facing renewed public scrutiny after allegations of policy underperformance, questionable transactions and renewed contract controversies surrounding senior leadership at NNPC and the NUPRC,” the statement said.

The group referred to the removal of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, and alleged that the administration under his leadership was criticised over production performance and allegations of corruption and self-dealing.

It said Nigeria’s crude oil production had remained below the widely cited benchmark of about 1.7 million barrels per day, despite changes in the leadership of the national oil company.

“About one and a half years after his successor took over, the narrative has not improved as production remains below the same threshold and concerns around non-performance and alleged ‘shady’ transactions have returned,” the group said.

The professionals also called for closer scrutiny of the marginal fields licensing process, citing allegations of possible insider influence, unequal application of rules and overlaps in the allocation of oil blocks.

The group alleged that some individuals with personal or professional links to the current leadership of NNPC Ltd. may have benefited from favourable access to oil assets.

“The process implicated Bayo Ojulari through allegations that allies and cronies secured favourable blocks, allegedly aided by insider knowledge and access associated with senior management influence connected to Ojulari’s personal network, including one of his wives, who is a top official at the NUPRC,” the statement said.

The forum stressed that all processes involving national assets should be guided by transparent and clearly documented criteria, with equal access provided to all qualified participants.

It noted that calls had previously been made by some stakeholders for a review of licensing exercises and a forensic examination of the conduct of petroleum bid rounds.

The group further alleged that some oil blocks linked to recent licensing outcomes overlapped with interests associated with individuals described as close to the president.

“Some of the blocks tied to the licensing outcome were reported to overlap with interests already held by people described as being close to the President’s inner circle,” it said.

The forum consequently called for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bayo Ojulari, and Meyiwa Eyesan from their respective positions, arguing that accountability should extend beyond previous leadership changes.

“Therefore, we call for the removal of both Bayo Ojulari from his NNPC leadership role and Meyiwa Eyesan from her position at the NUPRC.

“Leadership accountability should extend beyond earlier changes and towards current outcomes, especially to protect licensing integrity, contract award practices and oil production delivery,” the group said.

It said public confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry depended not only on production performance but also on the perception that decisions were taken fairly and without undue influence.

The forum urged the Presidency and relevant oversight agencies to independently examine the allegations and ensure that concerns relating to procurement, licensing and regulatory oversight were addressed transparently.

It also alleged that early allocations involving Oil Mining Leases, OMLs, 64 and 98, were linked to companies associated with individuals described as friends and allies of Mr Ojulari.

“Early allocations for specific OMLs — namely OML 64 and OML 98 — were connected to companies aligned with friends and allies of Ojulari, fuelling additional speculation over whether personal networks are shaping contract decisions,” the statement said.

The group further claimed that Mr Ojulari had maintained that decisions relating to licensing and other matters were taken with the knowledge of President Bola Tinubu.

“Public accountability requires more than assertions of political awareness, especially where outcomes appear to advantage particular networks,” it said.

“Whether these allegations prove out in official findings or remain contested claims, the story is already driving renewed internal power tensions and external pressure for stronger transparency.”

The professionals said Nigeria’s oil and gas institutions must demonstrate professionalism, accountability and independence to sustain investor confidence and improve the credibility of the sector.

“We therefore urge the relevant institutions to act with speed, transparency and independence in addressing these concerns.

“Nigeria’s oil sector cannot afford prolonged uncertainty; it needs credible leadership, accountable governance and measurable performance,” the statement said.

The NNPC Ltd., NUPRC and the officials named in the statement had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.