Oil and gas professionals have called for a full investigation into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), demanding the removal of NNPC’s Bayo Ojulari and NUPRC’s Meyiwa Eyesan over fresh allegations of insider influence in the marginal fields licensing process.
In a statement issued Saturday by convener Ayodele Momoh, the group said the allegations point to a pattern of self-dealing that has persisted despite an earlier change in NNPC leadership.
Mele Kyari was removed as NNPC’s group CEO over claims of underperformance and corruption, with production stuck around 1.7 million barrels per day. The group said the situation has not improved under his successor, Ojulari, with production still below that mark and fresh allegations of questionable transactions surfacing.
The professionals said the marginal fields licensing round deserves scrutiny over reports of insider influence and uneven rule application. They alleged that allies connected to Ojulari’s personal network — including one of his wives, a top NUPRC official — secured favourable blocks with the benefit of insider access.
The group also alleged that some of the licensed blocks overlapped with interests tied to people close to the presidency, and that early allocations for OML 64 and OML 98 went to companies aligned with Ojulari’s associates.
Ojulari has reportedly maintained that his decisions on licensing were made with the President’s knowledge. The group said this was not enough to satisfy public accountability, particularly where outcomes appear to favour specific networks.
“Whether these allegations prove out in official findings or remain contested claims, the story is already driving renewed internal power tensions and external pressure for stronger transparency,” the group said.
The professionals urged the presidency and oversight agencies to investigate the licensing process, contract awards and regulatory oversight, warning that investor confidence depends on both performance and the perception of fairness.
“Nigeria’s oil sector cannot afford prolonged uncertainty; it needs credible leadership, accountable governance, and measurable performance,” the statement said.
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