NNPCL Boss Embroiled in N5.7bn Scam, Coalition Demands Justice

The coalition of economic accountability under the leadership of Patroitic Nigerian Youth Forum (PNYF) is outraged with the high-handedness of Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPLC).

The Coalition particularly cited the scandalous 5.7 billion naira consultancy contract entered into by the NNPCL with an obscure company as well as the flagrant breach of procurement laws and reckless spendings under Mr. Bashir, insisting that a probe and a decisive line of action must be taken to pacify Nigerians.

Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, took office as the CEO of NNPCL following the ouster of the Mele Kyari led administration in an attempt to reposition the company for greater productivity and efficiency in line with renewed hope agenda of Mr. President

In a statement jointly signed by the duo of Comrade Olamide Odumosu and Comrade Haruna Gambari, Convener and Co-Convener of the Coalition respectively, the right groups declared that enough is enough as they vowed to ensure justice and the actualisation of the renewed hope agenda by holding all government appointees accountable.

The coalition of 52 civil society organizations maintained that, “we are saddened that NNPCL continues to be in practice and optics, a beehive of opaque transactions and corrupt practices. It was our hope that under Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, who was strictly appointed under the banner, vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, there will be transformation in the NNPCL.

“Sadly, with the allegations of contract scam in billions of Naira, high-handedness and brazen squander of Nigeria’s scarce resources just few months into office, his tenure is bound to be one of filth, pillage and odium.

“Our clandestine investigations have revealed that, HASKE, a little known firm, which capacity to handle serious jobs is yet to be ascertained, was awarded a whooping N5.7 billion consultancy contract without advertisement, tender, competitive bidding or any of the processes laid down in the procurement act.

“Another damning allegation which we have confirmed is the approval of an expensive retreat in Kigali, Rwanda against the directive of Mr. President to cut down needless oversea trips, conferences and retreats. That they travelled in private jets at a time Nigeria is battling huge public debts and the citizens living in abject poverty and lack of access to many basic amenities is grossly unacceptable and stands condemned.

“It is also on record that since assumption of office on the 2nd of April 2025, Mr. Bayo Bashir has not done anything to demonstrate that NNPCL under him will be productive. In fact, he has no road map, idea or design to prove that the National Oil Company is on the trajectory to join international peers.

“Some of us, including a broad spectrum of Nigerians have always suspected that Mr. Ojulari has nothing offer, except capitalising on ethnic protection to stay on the job. Despite this, we were willing to allow him at least 100 days in office to tell or show Nigerians what he has to offer. But in less than 100 days, he has proven us right as he is already involved scandals of monumental proportion.

“In the name of the renewed hope agenda, we earnestly call on Mr. President to overhaul NNPCL with immediate effect and appoint credible Nigerians with the capacity to service patriotically”

The text concluded with a one week ultimatum, within which a just and appropriate action should be taken, failure of which the coalition insist that they’ll “mobilise to occupy NNPCL and ensure that Nigerians are not short-changed by a privileged few regardless of their tribal, religious and political affiliation”.