A leading civil society organisation, Vanguard for Probity and Accountability, has sounded the alarm over what it calls “a dangerous culture of impunity” at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following revelations of staggering financial discrepancies and allegations of wasteful spending by its board members.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Joel Abba, expressed outrage at the recently uncovered inconsistencies in NNPCL’s audited financial statements—figures that lawmakers claim run into over ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
“This isn’t just an accounting issue. It is a moral disaster,” Dr. Abba said. “Millions of Nigerians are struggling to afford a meal, yet a handful of elites may be feasting on the nation’s wealth like it’s a private inheritance.”
He didn’t mince words either about a reported plan by the NNPCL Board to embark on a luxury trip to Kigali, Rwanda—flying on five private jets, allegedly arranged by the son-in-law of a well-connected politician.
“How do we explain this to a single mother waiting four hours for fuel at the pump, or a young graduate unable to find work?” Dr. Abba asked. “This is not governance—it’s cruelty disguised as leadership.”
The Senate had earlier this week flagged the irregularities during a heated investigative session, prompting public outcry. Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, described the discrepancies as “mind-boggling,” vowing that the legislative body would fully exercise its oversight powers to get answers.
Dr. Abba and his organisation are now urging the Senate not to back down.
“We commend the National Assembly for raising this red flag, and we encourage them to go further. Nigerians are watching closely. Accountability must not stop at speeches—it must lead to consequences,” the group said.
The group also accused the NNPCL of arrogance and tone-deafness, stating that the agency appears more committed to lavish lifestyles than to the national good.
“To imagine that over a billion Naira could be spent on a single board retreat is a slap in the face of every Nigerian family struggling under the weight of fuel hikes and food inflation,” Dr. Abba added.
As pressure mounts, the public is demanding more than explanations—they want reforms, transparency, and above all, justice.
“This is about the soul of our nation. If we allow this kind of financial recklessness to go unchecked, then we have truly failed our people,” the group concluded.
