NNPC Rejects Underperformance Claims, Cites 6% Production Growth Under Ojulari

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has strongly refuted allegations of underperformance and impropriety, asserting that its crude oil and gas production has experienced sustained growth under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Bayo Ojulari. These claims were made by the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), which had called for an investigation into NNPC's operations.

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Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the conduct of oil licensing rounds and the allocation of oil blocks fall squarely within the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The OGPF, in a statement signed by its convener Ayodele Momoh, alleged concerns regarding transparency in production performance, licensing procedures, and contract awards. The forum specifically questioned potential insider influence in the marginal fields licensing process and called for Ojulari's removal. They also raised questions about relationships between individuals close to NNPC leadership and companies that allegedly benefited from licensing outcomes, doubting whether oil production had materially improved.

In response, NNPC issued a statement through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, clarifying its statutory responsibilities and operational performance. The company emphasized that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) holds the mandate for conducting oil licensing rounds and allocating oil blocks. NNPC stated that as a commercial entity since its incorporation, it possesses no regulatory or allocative authority.

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NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority.

Regarding production figures, NNPC countered the OGPF's claims by providing data from its Monthly Performance Report. The company reported that average crude oil production, including condensate, rose from 1.60 million barrels per day (bpd) in April 2025 to 1.67 mbpd in April 2026. This increase of approximately 80,000 bpd represents a roughly 6% growth. NNPC also noted a five percent increase in average gas production during the same period, rising from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) to 7,729 mmscfd. The company urged stakeholders to rely on verifiable corporate and regulatory data when assessing its performance.

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The increase of about 80,000 bpd represents approximately 6 per cent growth, urging stakeholders to rely on verifiable corporate and regulatory data when assessing its performance.