NNPC Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Oil Licensing, Production Claims

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is facing renewed scrutiny over its handling of oil-sector affairs, particularly regarding the recently concluded oil licensing round.

Critics argue that while NNPC Ltd. claims it has no role in the licensing process, citing provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, its dominant commercial position makes its relationship with the licensing process a matter worthy of greater public scrutiny.

The controversy has revived longstanding concerns about transparency, fairness, and preferential access in Nigeria's petroleum sector.

Despite NNPC Ltd.'s reported increase in crude oil production from 1.60 million barrels per day in April 2025 to 1.67 million barrels per day in April 2026, representing a six percent rise, critics argue that the improvement remains modest compared to Nigeria's substantial hydrocarbon reserves.