The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has issued a formal rebuttal to demands from oil and gas industry experts seeking the dismissal of its Group Chief Executive, Bayo Ojulari, and NUPRC Chief Executive, Meyiwa Eyesan. NNPCL spokesperson Andy Odeh rejected these claims via a statement posted on X this past Saturday.
These calls for removal originated from the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), led by Ayodele Momoh. The group cited concerns over persistent sector underperformance and suspected irregularities regarding the distribution of oil blocks. Specifically, the OGPF accused Ojulari of using his influence to ensure that associates and family members, including his spouse, received favorable oil blocks during the NUPRC-led licensing round, which saw 37 blocks awarded to 31 different firms.
In response, the NNPCL emphasized that under the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act, the NUPRC maintains exclusive authority over licensing and block allocation. The company asserted that it now operates solely as a commercial entity and possesses no regulatory or distributive powers regarding these assets. Furthermore, NNPCL highlighted recent operational improvements, noting a 6 percent rise in crude oil production to 1.67 million barrels per day as of April 2026, alongside a 5 percent increase in gas output. The state-run corporation warned that it would pursue appropriate measures to safeguard its reputation and that of its executives against what it labeled as unfounded allegations.
