The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is facing fresh internal unrest just four months after a major shake-up in its leadership. What began as a push for reforms by the new administration has now snowballed into sharp divisions, corruption allegations, and power tussles within the top management.
President Bola Tinubu, clearly concerned about the direction things are heading, has stepped in through the Ministry of Works to address growing fears that key infrastructure projects—especially those under the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme—might be abandoned due to the crisis.
Sources close to the company told The Guardian that many of the controversies making headlines lately, including the alleged chartering of private jets, have been part of longstanding corporate practices at NNPCL. But under the current leadership, those same practices have triggered serious backlash from both internal and external stakeholders.
Just last Friday, a coalition of civil groups stormed Abuja in protest. The protesters, including members of OilWatch Nigeria and Workers’ Rights Alliance, demanded the arrest of NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, over a $21 million scandal. They claimed an associate of Ojulari confessed to the EFCC that the money wasn’t his, but belonged to the GCEO.
“This isn’t just about money. N34 billion can build hospitals, roads, schools—real life-changing infrastructure,” one protester said. The group announced they would continue protesting at the National Assembly, NNPCL, and EFCC offices starting August 1.
Adding to the heat, TheCable reported that President Tinubu is said to be displeased with Ojulari’s performance, although he remains in office for now. Insiders believe his time may be limited.
Ojulari’s reported links to AA&R Investment Group—a company allegedly involved in moving the funds and whose CEO is the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—have raised eyebrows, especially given the country’s highly politicized environment.
Meanwhile, internal sources describe a company divided. There are reports of private jets being used for overseas board meetings—in Dubai, Kigali, Vienna—all allegedly funded by NNPCL. However, insiders insist this isn’t new, noting that such arrangements existed before Ojulari’s tenure.
The bigger issue seems to be the reforms Ojulari is pushing. Promotions, once based on seniority, now require interviews. Some staff feel sidelined; others see this as a long-overdue merit-based shift. The tension is reportedly deepened by regional power dynamics and control over financial decisions.
One major fallout involved the freezing of a key company account after a senior official was bypassed in disbursing funds. That action was reportedly taken with the President’s knowledge after EFCC got involved.
Amid all the drama, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, met with contractors in Abuja on July 31 to reassure them. He confirmed that most projects under the NNPCL Tax Credit Scheme will continue, and no contractor will be left unpaid.
In a statement released by his media team, Umahi instructed contractors to return to their project sites immediately. He also gave them a 7-day deadline to update project documentation—especially for high-priority roads like the Lokoja/Benin Dual Carriageway—or risk delays due to misinformation.
As the NNPCL battles scandal and reform fatigue, the government is keen to keep the nation’s infrastructure ambitions on track. But with deepening internal cracks and public outrage growing louder, the road ahead may be just as bumpy as the ones they’re trying to fix.
