NNPC Rejects Underperformance Claims as Output Rises 6%

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has pushed back against allegations of underperformance and impropriety made by the Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF). The forum claimed that NNPC's leadership, led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, had failed to improve oil output, which it said remained below 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd).

However, NNPC disputes this claim, citing an increase in crude oil production of about 6% under Ojulari's leadership. According to the company's Monthly Performance Report, average crude oil production rose from 1.60 million bpd in April 2025 to 1.67 million bpd in April 2026.

The company also reported a 5% increase in gas production during the same period, with average output rising from 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) in April 2025 to 7,729 mmscfd in April 2026. NNPC attributed this growth to expanding gas output to support domestic energy security and Nigeria's gas export commitments.

The company emphasized that it operates as a commercial entity with no regulatory or allocative authority over oil licensing rounds, which are the responsibility of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).