The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has defended the performance of its leadership under Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari, saying the company has recorded steady growth in crude oil and gas production.
The company made this known in a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, on Saturday, in response to recent media comments attributed to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF) questioning the performance of NNPC Ltd.’s leadership in connection with the recently concluded oil licensing round conducted by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
NNPC Ltd. said it welcomes scrutiny of its operations but stressed the need for accurate and verified information in public discussions about its performance.
On the licensing round, the company clarified that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the responsibility for conducting oil licensing rounds and allocating oil blocks rests with the NUPRC.
According to NNPC Ltd., the company has operated strictly as a commercial entity since its incorporation and does not possess regulatory or oil-block allocation powers.
The company also highlighted what it described as sustained improvements in crude oil production under the current leadership.
It said average crude oil production stood at 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd), including condensate, as of April 2025, before rising to 1.67 mbpd by April 2026.
NNPC Ltd. said the increase of about 80,000 barrels per day represents approximately six per cent growth.
The company added that gas production also increased during the period, rising from an average of 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729 mmscfd by April 2026, representing a five per cent increase.
It said the figures are contained in its publicly available Monthly Performance Reports.
NNPC Ltd. maintained that the growth in gas production would support Nigeria’s domestic energy security as well as the country’s export commitments.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and open engagement on matters concerning its operations and performance.
It, however, 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.
NNPC Ltd. urged industry commentators, analysts and professional associations to verify information through appropriate regulatory and corporate channels before making public statements.
The company said accurate and balanced commentary would contribute to a more informed and constructive discourse on Nigeria’s energy sector.
