The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has fired back at critics questioning the performance of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, insisting that available production data shows “clear and sustained improvement” in crude oil and gas output under the current leadership.
The company’s reaction followed recent media commentary attributed to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), which reportedly criticised Ojulari’s leadership in connection with the recently concluded oil licensing round conducted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC Ltd. rejected any attempt to link the company’s leadership with the allocation of oil blocks, stressing that such responsibility rests exclusively with the upstream regulator.
NNPC Ltd. said it welcomed scrutiny of its operations but warned that public commentary must be based on verifiable facts.
“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,” the company said.
It added that NNPC Ltd., since its incorporation, “has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority.”
The company therefore appeared to draw a sharp line between its commercial responsibilities and NUPRC’s statutory regulatory powers, dismissing any suggestion that its management was responsible for the outcome of the licensing exercise.
Crude Production Rises
NNPC Ltd. also mounted a robust defence of Ojulari’s performance, pointing to rising crude oil production as evidence of progress under his watch.
According to the company, average crude oil production stood at 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd), inclusive of condensate, as of April 2025.
It said production subsequently increased during the second half of 2025 before stabilising at 1.67mbpd, including condensate, by April 2026.
NNPC Ltd. said the increase of approximately 80,000 barrels per day represented a six per cent growth in output.
“These figures are documented in NNPC Limited’s Monthly Performance Report, which is available to the public,” the company stated.
Gas Output Also Records Growth
The company similarly pointed to improved gas production, saying output climbed from an average of 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729mmscfd by April 2026.
That, according to NNPC Ltd., represents a five per cent increase and demonstrates expanding gas production to support domestic energy security and Nigeria’s export commitments.
The company again directed critics and industry stakeholders to its publicly available monthly performance reports for verification of the figures.
NNPC Ltd. said the production gains were part of its broader transformation into “a fully commercial, globally competitive energy company.”
It reiterated its commitment to transparency and open engagement on its operations, while issuing a stern warning against what it described as false or unsubstantiated claims.
“NNPC Limited remains committed to operating with transparency and will continue to engage openly on matters concerning the Company’s performance and operations,” it said.
However, the company added that it “reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against publication of false or unsubstantiated claims.”
NNPC Ltd. also urged industry commentators, analysts and professional associations to verify claims through appropriate regulatory and corporate channels before publishing them.
According to the company, such verification would ensure that public discourse around Nigeria’s oil and gas industry remains factual, balanced and constructive.
