NNPC Limited has rejected criticism of Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari over a recently concluded oil licensing round, saying oil block allocation is handled by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), not the national oil company.
The company made its position known in a press statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer Andy Odeh on Saturday, 8 August, after media reports credited to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum questioned Ojulari’s performance over the licensing round.
NNPC said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 gives NUPRC the legal responsibility to conduct licensing rounds and allocate oil blocks.
READ RELATED NEWS
It said NNPC Limited has operated as a commercial company since its incorporation and has no regulatory or allocative authority over oil blocks.
The company also pointed to its production figures under Ojulari as evidence of its performance. It said crude oil output rose from an average of 1.60 million barrels per day in April 2025 to 1.67 million barrels per day by April 2026.
That represents an increase of about 80,000 barrels per day, or six per cent, based on figures in NNPC Limited’s Monthly Performance Report.
NUPRC handles oil block allocation
The licensing issue has become the main point of NNPC’s response to the criticism because the company says it cannot be held responsible for a process outside its legal powers.
Under the PIA 2021, NUPRC has the statutory mandate to conduct oil licensing rounds and allocate oil blocks. NNPC said its own mandate is commercial.
The company said the distinction is important in assessing criticism tied to the licensing round and Ojulari’s leadership.
NNPC said it welcomes scrutiny of its operations and performance as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
It also said industry commentators, analysts and professional associations should verify information through the relevant regulatory and corporate channels before publishing claims about its operations.
The company said this would help ensure that public discussions about Nigeria’s energy sector are factual, balanced and useful.
Crude and gas output rise
NNPC also used its production figures to respond to questions about its performance under Ojulari.
Crude oil production, including condensate, stood at 1.60 million barrels per day in April 2025. The company said output rose through the second half of 2025 before reaching 1.67 million barrels per day by April 2026.
The company put the increase at about 80,000 barrels per day, representing six per cent growth.
Gas production also rose during the same period. NNPC said average gas output increased from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day in April 2025 to 7,729 million standard cubic feet per day in April 2026.
That represents five per cent growth in gas production.
NNPC said the figures show higher gas output in support of Nigeria’s domestic energy security and export commitments.
Both crude and gas figures, the company said, are contained in its publicly available Monthly Performance Report.
The company said it would continue to engage openly on its performance and operations. It also said it reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership from false or unsubstantiated claims.
For More News Details, Visit New Daily Prime.
