The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has defended the performance of its current leadership, saying crude oil and gas production have recorded sustained growth under Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari.
The company was responding to recent media commentary attributed to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF) questioning the performance of NNPC Ltd.’s leadership in relation to the recently concluded oil licensing round conducted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, NNPC Ltd. said it welcomed scrutiny of its operations but considered it necessary to clarify what it described as misconceptions surrounding the licensing exercise and the company’s production performance.
Licensing authority rests with NUPRC
According to NNPC Ltd., the conduct of oil licensing rounds and allocation of oil blocks fall within the statutory mandate of NUPRC under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
The company stressed that, since its incorporation, NNPC Ltd. has operated as a commercial entity and does not possess regulatory or oil-block allocation powers.
The clarification effectively separates the company’s commercial responsibilities from the regulatory functions of NUPRC, which oversees upstream petroleum regulation and licensing.
Crude oil output rises
NNPC Ltd. also pointed to production figures as evidence of improved operational performance under the current leadership.
The company said average crude oil production stood at 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd), including condensate, in April 2025.
By April 2026, production had risen to 1.67 mbpd, representing an increase of approximately 80,000 barrels per day, or 6 per cent, according to figures contained in the company’s publicly available Monthly Performance Report.
NNPC Ltd. said production increased through the second half of 2025 before stabilising at the April 2026 level.
Gas production records 5% growth
The company said gas production has also increased during the period under review.
Average gas production stood at 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025, rising to 7,729 mmscfd by April 2026.
NNPC Ltd. described the increase as approximately 5 per cent growth, saying the higher output supports domestic energy security as well as Nigeria’s gas export commitments.
The company said the production figures are contained in its publicly available Monthly Performance Reports.
NNPC calls for evidence-based debate
While reaffirming its commitment to transparency, NNPC Ltd. urged industry commentators, analysts and professional associations to verify information through appropriate regulatory and corporate channels before publication.
The company said this would help ensure that public commentary on Nigeria’s energy sector remains factual, balanced and constructive.
NNPC Ltd. also warned that it reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against what it described as false or unsubstantiated claims.
