KEY POINTS
- OGPF accused NNPCL of avoiding questions over oil block awards.
- The group raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest.
- NNPCL says NUPRC is responsible for oil block allocation.
The Oil & Gas Professionals Forum, OGPF, has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of avoiding the main issues raised about the recent Marginal Field bid round and alleged links involving its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.
The group said the response issued by NNPCL was misleading and failed to properly address concerns about possible conflicts of interest, the identities of some beneficiaries and the performance of the current leadership of the national oil company.
The controversy followed a statement by OGPF on August 2 calling for the removal of Ojulari and Meyiwa Eyesa, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The forum said its demand was based on concerns over what it described as poor performance in the oil sector, questionable transactions and contracts, as well as issues surrounding the allocation of oil blocks.
The group also raised questions about the recently concluded licensing round conducted by NUPRC, where 31 companies reportedly emerged as winners from the available oil blocks.
OGPF alleged that some individuals connected to Ojulari benefited from the process. The forum further claimed that one of his wives played a role in the bid evaluation process and that some beneficiaries were close associates of the NNPC boss. These allegations have not been independently established in the report.
In response, NNPCL said the responsibility for conducting oil licensing rounds and allocating oil blocks belongs to NUPRC under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The company stressed that it operates as a commercial entity and does not have regulatory or oil block allocation powers.
NNPCL therefore sought to distance itself from the licensing process, arguing that such decisions fall within the legal responsibility of the upstream petroleum regulator.
OGPF rejects NNPC response
However, OGPF said NNPCL’s explanation did not address the key concerns raised by the group.
The forum, in a statement signed by its convener, Ayodele Momoh, accused the company of focusing on issues it considered secondary while avoiding questions about possible conflicts of interest and the identities of the beneficiaries of the oil block awards.
OGPF argued that relationships between people involved in the bid process and successful beneficiaries should be properly examined where questions about possible conflicts of interest arise.
The group said it was not satisfied with attempts to describe the alleged connections as coincidences and called for greater transparency in the process.
OGPF also criticised NNPCL’s focus on oil and gas production figures in its response.
The forum said production growth should be measured against the targets set for the company rather than presented simply as evidence of success.
According to OGPF, oil production increased by about six per cent while gas production rose by about five per cent between April 2025 and August 2026.
The group argued that these figures were not enough to meet the expectations placed on the NNPC leadership, particularly in relation to the country’s target of increasing oil production to three million barrels per day within two years.
OGPF said NNPCL should focus on closing the gap between its current production level and its stated targets instead of celebrating relatively small increases. The forum further questioned NNPCL’s claims about transparency and accountability.
It alleged that weaknesses in the system could allow patronage networks to continue operating and potentially benefit a limited group of politically connected individuals and businesses.
OGPF said its concerns were focused on the leadership of NNPCL and the integrity of the processes surrounding oil block awards.
The group maintained that its demands were aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and fairness in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
