Oil and gas professionals have called for a comprehensive investigation into the leadership and operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), citing renewed allegations surrounding the country’s petroleum industry.
The stakeholders said Nigeria’s oil and gas sector cannot continue to operate under persistent allegations and growing internal distrust while the nation’s key petroleum institutions remain under public scrutiny.
The call follows renewed debate over Nigeria’s crude oil production performance, the conduct of marginal field licensing exercises, contract awards, and the overall transparency of regulatory processes within the industry.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its convener, Ayodele Momoh, the forum of oil and gas professionals expressed concern over what it described as increasing uncertainty regarding reforms and governance within the sector.
According to the group, Nigeria’s oil industry is once again facing public criticism over allegations of poor policy implementation, controversial transactions, and questions surrounding the activities of senior officials at both NNPC and the NUPRC.
The forum referenced the tenure of former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, noting that his removal followed allegations of poor performance, corruption, self-dealing, and failure to significantly increase Nigeria’s oil production beyond the widely referenced benchmark of approximately 1.7 million barrels per day.
The professionals argued that more than a year after the appointment of a new leadership, production levels have remained below expectations, while fresh concerns have emerged over alleged questionable transactions and governance issues.
They also called for closer scrutiny of the marginal field licensing process, alleging that reports of insider influence, unequal application of licensing rules, and overlapping block allocations have raised serious concerns about transparency.
According to the statement, allegations have linked NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari to claims that individuals believed to be close to him allegedly benefited from favourable block allocations through insider access connected to senior management networks, including claims involving a senior NUPRC official.
The forum stressed that the allegations require independent verification but insisted that every licensing process involving national assets must be conducted transparently, based on clearly documented criteria, and provide equal opportunities for all qualified investors.
It noted that similar demands have previously been made by other stakeholders seeking an independent review of recent licensing exercises and a forensic examination of bid-round procedures.
The group further alleged that some oil blocks awarded during the licensing exercise reportedly overlapped with interests associated with individuals believed to have close ties to the Presidency, a development it said has intensified concerns about fairness and accountability.
Consequently, the professionals called for the removal of Bayo Ojulari from his position as NNPC chief executive and Meyiwa Eyesan from her role at the NUPRC, arguing that leadership accountability should extend beyond previous management changes to include current outcomes.
According to the stakeholders, restoring confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry depends not only on improved production but also on public trust that regulatory and commercial decisions are made fairly and without undue influence.
The forum urged the Presidency and relevant oversight institutions to objectively investigate the allegations and ensure that procurement processes, licensing exercises, and regulatory oversight are conducted transparently.
The statement also alleged that early allocations involving Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 64 and 98 were reportedly linked to companies associated with individuals considered allies of Ojulari, fueling further speculation that personal relationships may have influenced contract decisions.
It further claimed that Ojulari has maintained that decisions taken under his leadership were made with the knowledge of President Bola Tinubu, but argued that public accountability requires more than claims of political approval where questions remain over the integrity of the outcomes.
The professionals acknowledged that the allegations remain unproven and should be subjected to official investigation, but maintained that the controversy has already heightened internal tensions within the industry and increased public demand for greater transparency.
They concluded by urging relevant government agencies to respond swiftly and independently, insisting that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector requires credible leadership, accountable governance, transparent regulatory institutions, and measurable improvements in production to sustain investor confidence.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the NNPC, the NUPRC, nor the officials mentioned in the allegations had publicly responded to the claims contained in the statement.
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