The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has rejected allegations of poor performance and impropriety against its management, saying crude oil and gas production have recorded sustained growth since Bayo Ojulari assumed office as Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO).

The national oil company also clarified that it has no authority over oil licensing rounds or the allocation of oil blocks, stressing that such responsibilities fall under the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The clarification followed allegations by the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), which called for an investigation into NNPC’s leadership and operations over concerns relating to production performance, licensing processes and contract awards.

The forum, in a statement signed by its convener, Ayodele Momoh, also questioned the transparency of the marginal fields licensing process and called for Ojulari’s removal as GCEO. It further raised concerns about alleged relationships between individuals linked to NNPC management and companies said to have benefited from licensing outcomes.

Responding in a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC said the allegations were inconsistent with its statutory responsibilities and available performance data.

“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.

“NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority.”

Oil production rises

NNPC said its production figures also contradicted claims that the current management had failed to improve output.

According to the company, average crude oil production, including condensate, increased from 1.60 million barrels per day (bpd) in April 2025 to 1.67 million bpd in April 2026.

The company said the increase of about 80,000 bpd represented approximately six per cent growth over the period.

NNPC also reported an improvement in gas production, saying average output rose from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729 mmscfd in April 2026, representing about five per cent growth.

The company said the increase in gas production was helping to support domestic energy security while meeting Nigeria’s gas export commitments.

“While NNPC Limited welcomes scrutiny of its operations and performance, consistent with the transparency and accountability the company holds itself to, it is important to set the record straight on the specific claims raised,” the statement said.

NNPC urged industry analysts, commentators and professional associations to verify information through relevant regulatory and corporate channels before making public claims about its operations.

“This will help ensure that public commentary is factual, balanced, and contributes constructively to informed discourse on the Nigerian energy sector,” the company added.

NNPC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and said it would continue to engage stakeholders on its performance and operations.

However, the company said it reserved the right to take appropriate measures to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against what it described as false or unsubstantiated allegations.