The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL) has reacted to calls for the removal of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission(NUPRC) Meyiwa Eyesan.
NNPCL in a statement by its spokesperson, Andy Odeh, on X on Saturday, defended Ojulari and Eyesan.
The Oil and Gas Professionals Forum(OGPF) led by its convener, Ayodele Momoh, called for the removal of Ojulari and Eyesan over the continued underperformance of Nigeria’s oil sector, questionable transactions and contracts, and controversies surrounding the award of oil blocks.
The group particularly alleged that Ojulari secured oil blocks for allies and cronies in the recently concluded licensing round conducted by the NUPRC, in which 31 companies emerged as winners and 37 available oil blocks were subsequently awarded.
OGPF alleged that Ojulari’s cronies and friends, including one of his wives, secured favourable oil blocks through insider influence.
“Therefore, we call for the removal of both Bayo Ojulari from his NNPC leadership role and Meyiwa Eyesan from her position at the NUPRC,” OGPF stated on August 2, 2026.
Reacting to the accusations against Ojulari and Eyesan, NNPCL clarified its involvement in the recently concluded licensing round conducted by the NUPRC.
According to NNPCL, 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 NUPRC.
“NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority,” it stated.
Speaking on crude oil production, NNPCL said production recorded a six percent growth to 1.67 million barrels per day (mbpd), inclusive of condensate, in April 2026, from 1.60 million barrels per day in 2025.
“This is an increase of approximately 80 thousand barrels per day which represents 6% growth. These figures are documented in NNPC Limited’s Monthly Performance Report, which is available to the public,” the state-owned firm noted.
NNPCL added that Nigeria’s gas production rose by 5 percent to 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) from 7,729 mmscfd.
NNPCL said it also reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against the publication of false or unsubstantiated claims.
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