The NIgerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it should not be held responsible for outcomes associated with the recent oil and gas licensing round and the country’s production performance.
The company said in a statement by its spokesperson, Andy Odeh, that 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 (NUPRC).
Odeh was reacting to recent media commentary credited to the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), which questioned the NNPC Limited ‘s performance under the Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bayo Ojulari-led leadership in connection with the recently concluded oil licensing round.
Clarifying on NNPC Ltd’s role, Odeh said the company has continued to record steady growth in national crude oil and gas production, reinforcing its transformation into a fully commercial, globally competitive energy company.
While NNPC Limited welcomes scrutiny of its operations and performance consistent with the demands of transparency and accountability the Company holds itself to, Odeh said it rejects blames on outcomes associated with the recent oil and gas licensing round.
“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 (NUPRC). Since its incorporation, the NNPC Limited has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority,” Odeh said.
On Crude Oil Production, Odeh said publicly available data reflect a clear and sustained improvement in crude oil output under the current NNPC Ltd. leadership.
As of April 2025, he oil production figures documented in NNPC Limited’s Monthly Performance Report, showed that average crude oil production stood at 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd) inclusive of condensate.
He said crude oil output rose through the second half of 2025 and stabilised at 1.67 mbpd inclusive of condensate, by April 2026, an increase of approximately 80,000 barrels per day, or about 6% growth.
On Gas Production, Odeh said the Company’s gas production recorded similar growth, as gas production averaged 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) as of April 2025.
By April 2026, the NNPC Ltd spokesperson said the figure rose to 7,729 mmscfd, representing a 5% growth, an indicator of expanding gas output in support of Nigeria’s domestic energy security and export commitments.
While restating NNPC Limited’s commitment to operate with transparency, Odeh said the company would continue to engage openly on matters concerning the its performance and operations.
Besides, he said the Company reserves the right to take necessary steps to protect its reputation and that of its leadership against publication of false or unsubstantiated claims.
