KEY POINTS
- NNPC rejects allegations of poor performance and impropriety against Ojulari’s management.
- Crude oil production rose six per cent to 1.67 million barrels per day in April 2026.
- Gas production increased to 7,729 mmscfd, while NNPC clarified that NUPRC handles oil licensing.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has dismissed allegations of poor performance and impropriety levelled against its management, insisting that available production figures show measurable improvements in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector under the leadership of its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari.
The national oil company made the clarification in response to concerns raised by the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum, which had called for an investigation into the affairs of NNPC Ltd.
The group reportedly raised questions about the company’s leadership under Bayo Ojulari, crude oil production levels, oil licensing processes and the award of contracts within the petroleum industry.
However, NNPC rejected the claims, maintaining that its operational performance should be assessed using verifiable data rather than unsubstantiated allegations.
Crude Oil Production Records Six Per Cent Increase Under Bayo Ojulari
According to NNPC Ltd., crude oil production, including condensate, recorded a notable increase between April 2025 and April 2026.
The company said average crude oil production rose from approximately 1.60 million barrels per day in April 2025 to 1.67 million barrels per day in April 2026.
The figures represent an increase of about six per cent over the one-year period, which NNPC described as evidence of a positive production trend under the current management.
The improvement under Bayo Ojulari comes amid continued efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s oil output and maximise production from existing assets, as the country seeks to improve government revenues and reinforce its position as a major oil-producing nation.
NNPC under Bayo Ojulari said the increase was not limited to crude oil production, noting that the country’s average gas production also recorded growth during the same period.
The company disclosed that average gas production increased from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729 mmscfd in April 2026.
The increase reflects a broader improvement in gas output and adds to NNPC’s argument that the company’s performance has strengthened rather than deteriorated under Ojulari’s leadership.
The growth in gas production is also significant as Nigeria continues to pursue greater utilisation of its substantial natural gas resources for domestic consumption, industrial development and export opportunities.
Beyond production figures, NNPC also responded to concerns surrounding the allocation of oil blocks and licensing rounds.
The company clarified that it does not possess the statutory authority to conduct oil licensing rounds or allocate oil blocks.
NNPC explained that these responsibilities are vested in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the regulator responsible for administering upstream petroleum activities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The clarification is aimed at distinguishing NNPC’s commercial and operational responsibilities from the regulatory functions assigned to NUPRC by law.
