KEY POINTS
- Atiku wants details of N11.2trn in NNPC receivables.
- He seeks disclosure of pipeline security contracts and payments.
- The Presidency and firms named had not responded.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide a detailed account of the N11.2 trillion in receivables recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, particularly funds linked to oil and gas asset protection.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also demanded the publication of contracts, payment records and project outcomes relating to pipeline surveillance and other major infrastructure protection arrangements.
His demands were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. The statement questioned how much was spent on pipeline security, who received the payments and what results were achieved. Atiku said NNPC’s 2025 accounts showed approximately N11.2 trillion in other receivables from the Federation.
He contrasted the figure with NNPC’s 2024 accounts, which he said contained about N17.5 trillion in various claims on the Federation. These included petrol under-recovery and other receivables connected to advances and asset protection.
According to Atiku, the N11.2 trillion figure does not provide enough information to determine how much was specifically spent on pipeline protection and surveillance.
He therefore urged the government to provide a detailed breakdown showing the amounts committed, the contractors and beneficiaries involved, the services delivered and the outcomes recorded.
Calls for pipeline contracts to be published
The former vice-president also demanded greater transparency around contracts awarded for the protection of oil and gas infrastructure.
He specifically questioned the pipeline surveillance contract involving Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract awarded to a company linked to the Chagoury family.
Atiku called for the publication of contract documents, bidding procedures, evaluation records and payment details so that Nigerians can scrutinise how the projects were awarded and implemented.
The demand comes amid continued public interest in government spending on oil infrastructure and security, particularly because pipeline protection is closely linked to crude oil production and government revenue.
Atiku also compared the N11.2 trillion in NNPC receivables with the approximately N3.1 trillion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the 2025 budget.
He argued that the figures warranted greater scrutiny of how public resources are being used for security and protection of strategic national assets.
The ADC candidate said Nigerians should be able to establish how much is being spent on pipeline surveillance, who is receiving the money and whether the expenditure is producing measurable results.
His comments place the focus not only on the size of NNPC’s receivables but also on the accountability mechanisms surrounding payments for oil and gas security. Atiku further called for disclosure of any financial or material support provided by government contractors to President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election activities.
He argued that any possible connection between public contracts and political financing should be clarified through the release of relevant records.
The allegations concerning contract awards and possible campaign financing were not independently established in the material provided, and neither the Presidency nor the companies mentioned was represented in the statement. Beyond the NNPC accounts, Atiku criticised the administration’s economic policies, citing the rising cost of living, electricity challenges and insecurity.
He also criticised President Tinubu’s recent remarks about enjoying his stay in Europe, arguing that such comments did not reflect the economic difficulties faced by many Nigerians.
Atiku said an administration led by him from 2027 would focus on reducing living costs and improving economic conditions.
The political criticism comes ahead of the 2027 general election, with Atiku positioning transparency, economic affordability and public safety as key issues in his campaign.
