Ojulari never awarded oil block, had no role in licensing – NNPCL insiders

Industry sources claim that NNPCL CEO Bayo Ojulari neither awarded any oil blocks nor participated in the licensing process. They further assert that Ojulari lacks the statutory authority to allocate oil blocks or issue petroleum licenses in Nigeria. The allegations, according to these insiders, are unfounded and do not align with the legal framework governing petroleum licensing in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is responsible for administering upstream petroleum licensing, while the Minister of Petroleum Resources has the authority to grant Petroleum Prospecting Licences. Ojulari's alleged involvement in awarding an oil field to a company connected to his wife is dismissed as unsupported by evidence and inconsistent with the legal framework.

A senior industry official stated that Ojulari had no role in the bid process, applicant evaluation, winner selection, or award of any oil block. The allegations are seen as a coordinated campaign against Ojulari by individuals and companies whose commercial interests have been affected by recent changes under NNPCL's leadership.

The insiders claim that the allegations are part of an attempt to damage Ojulari's reputation, weaken his authority, and divert attention from the reforms being implemented at NNPCL. The company, however, maintains that the allegations are baseless and politically motivated, and urges those making the allegations to produce verifiable evidence.