A powerful coalition of 52 civil society organizations under the umbrella of the Patriotic Nigerian Youth Forum (PNYF) has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of gross inefficiency, mismanagement, and betrayal of public trust.
The coalition, in a strongly worded joint statement signed by Comrade Olamide Odumosu and Comrade Haruna Gambari, convener and co-convener respectively, demanded the immediate investigation and audit of the activities of the NNPCL under its current Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari.
Ojulari was appointed CEO of NNPCL in April 2025, following the removal of Mele Kyari in what the Tinubu administration described as a strategic repositioning aligned with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda. His appointment had been widely seen as a fresh opportunity to reform and sanitize the state-run oil giant, which has long been plagued by accusations of opacity and inefficiency.
However, the coalition says public optimism has since turned to disappointment.
“It was our hope that under Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari—who was strictly appointed under the banner and vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda—there would be visible transformation at NNPCL,” the statement reads. “Unfortunately, nothing has changed in practice or optics. The culture of waste, inefficiency, and impunity remains deeply entrenched.”
The group accused Ojulari of high-handedness, failing to initiate performance-driven reforms, and embarking on “needless overseas trips” at the expense of taxpayers. According to the coalition, such practices are incompatible with the administration’s promise of a lean and results-driven government.
“Since assumption of office on April 2, 2025, Mr. Ojulari has not demonstrated any willingness or action plan to reposition the NNPCL for productivity and national growth,” the coalition added.
The coalition’s statement adds to growing public dissatisfaction with the NNPCL, particularly in light of recent fuel pricing instability, supply disruptions, and lingering questions about transparency in crude oil sales and refinery operations.
Analysts say the coalition’s petition is significant, not just for its breadth—spanning over 50 advocacy groups—but also because it directly challenges one of the Tinubu administration’s high-profile appointments.
“The NNPCL is too strategic to Nigeria’s economy to be left to underwhelming leadership,” said Dr. Ibrahim Ayo, an energy policy expert. “When citizens and civil society are this united in calling for reform, the presidency must listen.”
The coalition urged President Tinubu to immediately order an independent audit of NNPCL’s operations under Ojulari’s leadership and to reassess his continued suitability for the role.
They emphasized that continued public silence could be misinterpreted as tacit approval of incompetence, warning that they will “intensify mobilization” if no action is taken.
“We say enough is enough. This is not what Nigerians were promised. We will not fold our arms while key institutions are mismanaged under the guise of reform.”
As Nigeria continues to navigate fuel subsidy reforms, forex challenges, and energy security threats, the performance of NNPCL remains central to the administration’s economic agenda. The next steps taken by President Tinubu in response to the coalition’s petition could send a strong message—either affirming his commitment to transparency and accountability, or fueling perceptions of indifference to systemic rot.
For now, all eyes are on the presidency.