Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) has received 1,112 entries for its 34th edition, with 972 qualifying for assessment across the print, radio and television categories.

The entries were formally presented to the Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, on Thursday at the organisation’s secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos, during a press briefing on the 2026 awards.

Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.

Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, former chairman of the Daily Times, who led the organisation for 10 years.

He said the award has remained committed to recognising journalists who distinguish themselves through outstanding professional work.

According to him, journalism remains critical to national development because of its ability to influence public discourse, hold leaders accountable and shape national priorities.

Duyile said, ‘The NMMA is an organisation that encourages you and I, the media people, to perform our professional duties professionally and ethically.

‘It was established in 1990 to promote progression in journalistic activity in this country, to encourage journalists to become highly professionalised in their trade and to encourage them to showcase their skills like other international journalists.

‘Journalism, apart from all other things, is the only profession that can move a nation forward. It is the only profession that can also promote leaders and give them an agenda to follow.’

He urged journalists to document their experiences and consider publishing books based on their years of professional practice.

Adetiba, who is also a trustee of the NMMA, explained that the assessment process was designed to ensure fairness and eliminate personal bias.

He said the 972 qualifying entries would be assessed by about 27 assessors, divided into groups for print, radio and television.

According to him, print entries would be assessed by three groups of five assessors each, while radio and television entries would be assessed by groups of six assessors each due to their technical requirements.

He said each assessor would initially work independently before members of each group met to aggregate their scores.

‘This neutralises any kind of personal bias. Some can be generous with their marks; some can be stingy with theirs. It all evens out at the end of the day,’ Adetiba said.

He added that the assessors, comprising professors, heads of departments and experienced media professionals, would spend between six and eight weeks evaluating the entries before submitting their recommendations to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

Adetiba also disclosed that, for the first time, all entries for the 2026 edition were submitted electronically, describing this as part of the NMMA’s adaptation to technological changes in the media industry.

Responding to a question about why online media platforms were not included in the awards, Adetiba said the NMMA was monitoring developments in digital journalism but remained concerned about ethical and professional standards within the sector.

He said the organisation could consider bringing online platforms into the awards as the sector becomes more structured and accountable.

On recognition for runners-up, Chief Administrator and Trustee of the NMMA, Yemi Akeju, said the organisation had previously issued certificates to runners-up but was reviewing ways to extend additional benefits to participants.

He said some former runners-up had subsequently benefited from opportunities abroad, including scholarships and academic programmes.

Akeju, a co-founder of the NMMA, said the organisation drew inspiration from established international media awards, including the Pulitzer Prize and British Press Awards, before its establishment.

He said the NMMA had also contributed to the development of media awards across Africa, noting that some of its award winners had subsequently participated in judging international awards.

Akeju also recalled the support the award received from Nigeria’s leadership at its inception, saying successive administrations had continued to identify with the NMMA.

He stated that the organisation would continue to uphold the standards on which it was founded and sustain its contribution to journalism in Nigeria and beyond.

‘We will continue to sustain it, develop other things and ensure that the benefits get to the Nigerian nation. It is our hope to sustain it for the greater good of the country and for the benefit of the future,’ he said.

The 34th NMMA is expected to culminate in the presentation of awards to outstanding media practitioners whose entries emerge successful after the assessment process.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has uploaded the details of 28 of its 29 governorship candidates and its State House of Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.

It met the extended deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said only the governorship candidate for Enugu State was outstanding due to an unresolved post-primary leadership dispute in the state.

Abdullahi said the successful completion of the exercise followed the earlier submission of the party’s presidential and National Assembly candidates, putting the ADC in compliance with the latest INEC requirements for candidate nomination.

INEC had originally fixed August 8 as the deadline for political parties to upload the names and particulars of their governorship and State House of Assembly candidates through its Candidate Nomination Portal. The commission subsequently granted a three-day extension, moving the deadline to August 11.

The extension came against the backdrop of efforts by several political parties to complete the upload of their candidates’ details amid technical and organisational challenges.

INEC’s regulations require parties to use the prescribed nomination forms and upload candidates’ particulars through the Candidate Nomination Portal.

The ADC had earlier completed the submission of its presidential and National Assembly candidates within the separate nomination window, which INEC had extended in July from July 11 to July 14 following an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council.

Abdullahi said the latest achievement demonstrated the party’s organisational readiness for the 2027 elections, despite the internal challenges surrounding its Enugu governorship nomination.

He said the party remained committed to resolving the Enugu issue, while stressing that the successful upload of virtually all its governorship and Assembly candidates represented a significant milestone in its preparations for the elections.

This comes as the party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, swore an oath not to misuse public funds or abuse public trust.

‘All of them. Anybody elected on the platform of ADC will sign this document, and not only sign, but also swear to an affidavit to be held accountable to this document,’ Abdullahi said.

The oath commits officeholders to honesty, transparency, accountability and the lawful use of public funds, while requiring them to accept sanctions for violations of the code or abuse of public trust.

It also provides that any elected or appointed official who resigns from or defects from ADC automatically forfeits the position obtained on the party’s platform.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reaffirmed the credibility and integrity of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, dismissing concerns raised by some content creators and social media commentators over their accuracy.

The council released results last week with 61.54 per cent candidates obtaining the minimum requirement of five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Affairs Department, and signed by Moyosola Adesina, Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, Yaba, Lagos, on behalf of the Head of the National Office,Dr Josiah Dangut, WAEC said the results were produced through rigorous, transparent and quality-assured processes that have guided its examinations for decades.

The council said the 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates was conducted in line with its established standard operational procedures and relevant educational policies, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

WAEC acknowledged that anxiety over examination results was understandable, particularly among candidates awaiting admission into the next stage of their academic pursuits.

However, it urged candidates, parents, schools and members of the public to exercise caution and disregard unverified claims circulating on social media regarding the results.

The council said every candidate’s script undergoes a multi-tiered system of marking, moderation and auditing, guided by standardised marking schemes and supervised by vetted subject experts.

According to WAEC, the quality assurance measures are designed to ensure objective, consistent and fair assessment of candidates.

It also said it had established transparent channels through which candidates and other stakeholders could raise queries or grievances concerning their results.

‘WAEC maintains clear procedures for addressing queries or grievances,’ the statement said, adding that information on query resolution was available through its offices nationwide and verified online platforms.

The council urged members of the public with concerns about the 2026 WASSCE results to contact WAEC directly through its offices or verified communication channels rather than relying on social media speculation.

It reiterated its commitment to preserving the integrity of its assessment processes and protecting the interests of candidates.

The Executive Director of the Foundation for Peace Professionals, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explore Nigeria’s acquisition of shareholding membership in the Bank for International Settlements.

He said the move could generate up to $20bn in cumulative economic value over 10 years.

Hamzat, a multidimensional energy economics professional, said the projected value would not come as a direct payment from the BIS but from potential improvements in Nigeria’s reserve management, foreign exchange risk management, financial stability, monetary policy and institutional influence.

‘The BIS will not give Nigeria $20bn. That is not the argument. The argument is that Nigeria could potentially create up to $20bn in economic value over a decade by improving the way we manage the assets, currency and financial system we already have,’ he said.

The BIS is owned by 63 central banks and monetary authorities whose economies account for about 95 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

Hamzat said Nigeria should assess the proposal beyond potential dividends, arguing that membership could strengthen the CBN’s access to international central banking cooperation and improve its capacity to manage financial and economic shocks.

He said even marginal improvements in the management of Nigeria’s external reserves could generate significant value.

‘When you are managing tens of billions of dollars in reserves, a small improvement in risk-adjusted returns, liquidity management or asset allocation can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars,’ he said.

Hamzat also said BIS membership could strengthen Nigeria’s financial-sector resilience and monetary policy capacity, particularly amid changes in global interest rates, commodity prices, capital flows and digital finance.

However, he stressed that the $20bn projection should be subjected to independent economic modelling before being adopted as a policy estimate.

He proposed a CBN-led Nigeria-BIS Strategic Assessment Team to examine the cost and potential benefits of membership.

Hamzat also noted that no West African central bank is currently among the BIS shareholders, urging Nigeria to work with regional institutions to strengthen West Africa’s representation in global monetary governance.

He called on CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso to initiate consultations with the BIS and commission a comprehensive cost-benefit assessment.

‘Economic stability is built before a crisis, not during one,’ Hamzat said.

The Federal Government has begun discussions with Chinese firm Zhenjiang Risesun Science and Technology Co. Ltd on collaboration in power, mining, food security and modern security technologies, to accelerate the country’s technological development.

The Director-General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Magaji Da’u Aliyu, disclosed this when the Chinese delegation visited the complex’s Abuja headquarters, a statement by SHESTCO’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Akubo Augustine, said yesterday.

Aliyu said the proposed partnership aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and identified energy, solid minerals, food security and security systems as priority areas. He said the collaboration would help develop technologies to improve electricity generation and distribution, support responsible mineral exploitation and value addition, and strengthen agricultural productivity and storage.

The Chinese delegation, led by General Manager for Overseas Business, Tina Yu, said the company was ready to support Nigeria’s power infrastructure, mining and security systems, and to build the technical capacity of local scientists and engineers.

Both sides agreed to develop a framework covering technology transfer, joint research, investment and knowledge exchange.

With more than 25 million people to feed and over 70 per cent of its food supplies coming from outside the state, Lagos is betting on a network of food hubs and a N500 billion offtake guarantee scheme to reduce its dependence on long-distance food supply chains and stabilise food prices.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the strategy was part of a long-term plan to transform the state from a largely consumption-driven market into an integrated food production, processing, logistics and distribution centre capable of supporting jobs, investment and ultimately, agricultural exports.

Speaking yesterday at the commissioning of the Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Agege, Sanwo-Olu said the state was building a food economy designed to handle more than 1.5 million metric tons of food annually, support 1,500 food trucks daily and unlock a N500 billion market guarantee for farmers under the Produce for Lagos Programme.

The governor said Lagos could no longer depend on fragmented supply chains to feed its rapidly growing population, noting that the heavy reliance on food brought in from other parts of the country exposed consumers to high transportation costs, post-harvest losses, inefficient storage and price volatility.

According to him, the emerging network of food hubs is designed to bring farmers, aggregators, traders, processors and consumers into a more coordinated market structure.

Sanwo-Olu said the Mushin food hub, commissioned in December 2023, had already recorded more than N4 billion in transactions over 228 market days, created over 7,000 direct and indirect jobs and attracted more than 850 registered vendors.

He said similar facilities were being developed in Opebi, Agege, Ikorodu and Bombata, adding that the network would eventually extend across all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state.

The governor said the infrastructure expansion was being backed by the N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund under the Produce for Lagos Programme, which he described as a response to two of the biggest constraints facing farmers – access to finance and reliable markets.

Sanwo-Olu said the flagship of the initiative was the Lagos Central Food Systems and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe.

‘The Lagos Central Food Systems and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe, is designed to handle more than 1.5 million metric tons of food annually and service more than 1,500 food trucks every day,’ he said.

He added that the facility would combine cold and dry storage, processing and repackaging facilities, quality-control laboratories, warehouses, logistics bays and digital trading platforms, describing it as a critical piece of infrastructure in Lagos’ food security strategy.

Sanwo-Olu said construction of the Epe facility was at an advanced stage and would be completed and commissioned before the end of his administration.

Sanwo-Olu said the food transformation programme could eventually move Lagos beyond meeting its own food needs to becoming an exporter of agricultural commodities.

‘The question before us has never been whether there is a market. There will always be a market. The real question is whether we can build a food system worthy of the size, ambition and economic strength of Lagos,’ he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among farmers, private investors, financial institutions, logistics operators, traders, technology providers, development partners and communities to make the state’s food transformation agenda sustainable.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the newly commissioned Lagos Fresh Food Hub in Agege was projected to facilitate more than N5 billion worth of food transactions annually.

She said the facility was designed not simply as another conventional food market, but as a strategically positioned middle-level food hub linked to the state’s broader Central Food Security Systems and Logistics Hub.

Olusanya asked rhetorically: ‘Every project begins with a problem that needs solving. For us, the challenge was clear: how do we move food more efficiently into and across a city of this size, reduce what we lose along the way and, at the same time, begin to properly understand a food distribution system that has remained largely invisible to us?’

She explained that the state was responding through an interconnected food distribution network based on a hub-and-spoke model, with the central logistics hub serving as the ‘mothership’ while middle-level hubs would be located closer to consumers and major trading centres.

According to her, the Agege facility, alongside the existing Mushin hub and other hubs under development, would operate as interconnected nodes within the same distribution system.

‘The thinking behind these controlled hubs goes beyond food distribution. We are also tackling some of the problems that have become inseparable from the way food is traditionally traded in a city of this size,’ she said.

Olusanya identified poor handling and inadequate storage, post-harvest losses, traffic congestion associated with food trading and logistics, poor sanitation and difficult trading conditions as some of the challenges the hub model was designed to address.

She said relocating food trading activities into properly designed facilities would enable the government to improve waste management, organise loading and offloading, strengthen sanitation and provide traders with a cleaner, safer and more dignified trading environment.

The commissioner said the model would also help bring a largely informal food economy into a more organised and visible system without undermining the commercial relationships that sustain Lagos’ markets.

The Agege hub, developed in partnership with Origin Tech Group, occupies about 7,000 square metres, including a 4,000-square-metre trading floor capable of accommodating between 350 and 400 vendors.

The facility also has about 1,200 square metres of dry storage with a capacity of approximately 800 metric tons, as well as cold storage capacity of about 300 metric tons.

It includes a purpose-built seafood section, parking space for between 80 and 90 vehicles and 10 electric vehicle charging points.

Olusanya said the scale of the facility was deliberately designed to provide the storage, logistics and trading capacity required to handle significant volumes of fresh food moving through Lagos.

‘Based on the trading capacity of the facility, the number of operators it can accommodate and the volume of food it is designed to handle, we project that the Lagos Fresh Food Hub, Agege, will facilitate well in excess of N5 billion in food transactions annually,’ she said.

To ensure that the facility operates beyond the conventional market model, Olusanya said the state had developed a 351-page operating framework to guide its management and day-to-day activities.

She said produce would move into the facility through farmers, aggregators, processors, suppliers and bulk dealers before reaching commissioned agents, retailers and institutional buyers.

‘Cold and dry storage facilities will allow produce to be preserved where immediate sale is not necessary, while the governance framework will cover operator selection, produce receiving and quality control, inventory management, sanitation, waste management and the use of trading spaces,’ she said.

Olusanya said the system would also provide the government with more reliable data on food flows across Lagos.

Chairman, Agege Local Government, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, commended the Lagos State Government for locating the fresh food hub in the area, saying the project would strengthen Agege’s position as an important node in the state’s expanding food economy.

Obasa said the facility would improve the way food was received, stored and distributed in Agege while creating opportunities for traders, food processors, transport operators, farmers and other businesses connected to the food value chain.

He said the project was particularly significant because of the growing interest of food processors and other investors in Lagos, adding that improved food infrastructure would help the state attract more private-sector investment while creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities for residents.

‘Agege is not just receiving a new food market; we are gaining a strategic piece of infrastructure that can strengthen the entire food value chain. This facility will improve food distribution, create opportunities for businesses and further position Agege as an important gateway in Lagos’ food economy,’ Obasa said.

He pledged the council’s support for the effective management and security of the facility, saying its success would depend on collaboration among the state government, local government, traders, investors and residents.

The commissioning attracted members of the Lagos State Executive Council, members of the Lagos Council of Chiefs, traditional rulers, food and agricultural stakeholders, private-sector operators and other dignitaries.

The Agege facility is expected to become one of the key links in Lagos’ emerging food hub network as the state seeks to build a more efficient system capable of moving food from farms and production centres to consumers while reducing losses, improving market access and strengthening food security.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and Instagram, as well as websites, have made it easier for people to access and share information. However, not all information shared online is accurate or verified. Bloggers, anonymous accounts and individuals may sometimes publish information based on rumours, assumptions or unverified claims.

Before believing or sharing a news report on social media, consider the following:

1. Check the source

Find out who published or shared the information. Check whether it came from a reputable news organisation, journalist, government agency or other credible source.

2. Check the date

Verify when the report was published. Old stories are sometimes recirculated as breaking news, creating the impression that they are recent developments.

3. Confirm the story with other credible sources

Search for the same story on other reputable news platforms. If a major event has occurred, credible media organisations and relevant authorities are likely to report or comment on it.

4. Read beyond the headline

Do not rely solely on headlines, particularly those designed to attract attention or generate clicks. Read the full report and determine whether the content supports the claim made in the headline.

5. Verify photos and videos

Examine accompanying images and videos carefully. Check whether they actually relate to the reported event. Old or unrelated visuals are sometimes presented as evidence of recent events.

6. Check the website or social media account

Make sure you are accessing the genuine account or website of the organisation or individual being cited. Impersonation accounts can use similar names, logos and profile pictures to deceive users.

7. Check whether the content is AI-manipulated

Artificial intelligence can be used to create or alter text, images, audio and videos. Look for unusual visual details, unnatural speech, inconsistencies and other signs that content may have been generated or manipulated.

8. Examine the account’s history

Review previous posts, engagement patterns, followers and the type of information the account regularly publishes. An account with a history of spreading false or misleading information should not be treated as a reliable source.

9. Build a list of trusted sources

Follow credible news organisations, journalists, government agencies and established fact-checking platforms. Having reliable sources makes it easier to cross-check information when questionable claims emerge.

10. Wait for confirmation before sharing

Avoid sharing information simply because it is trending or because someone you know sent it to you. Take time to verify the claim before forwarding or reposting it. When in doubt, don’t share.

Nigerian Army high command has deployed troops to the new Army Battalion in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

President Bola Tinubu last month approved the establishment of an Army battalion as a measure against banditry in the area.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony for the troops, Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, said the traditional rulers and people of the community were pleased with the establishment of the Army battalion in Omu-Aran under Commanding Officer Lt.-Col. Kehinde Avoseh.

‘I want to assure you that our support, especially in terms of the welfare of the battalion, will be 100 per cent by the grace of God. You will enjoy your stay in Omu-Aran.

‘We are together by the grace of God. The Lord who has brought us together has done so in peace, and we pray that this development will continue to bring blessings, security and progress to our communities,’ the monarch added.

Oba Adeoti expressed appreciation to the military authorities for ensuring that the location of the battalion was not changed.

The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders, including the Alara of Aran Orin, Alaran of Arandun, and Oloko of Oko Irese

The council Chair Abdulazeez Yakub, expressed appreciation to the Federal and Kwara State governments for the establishment of the battalion.

Yakub assured the Army of the council’s support.

‘On behalf of the people of Irepodun Local Government, I assure you of our full cooperation and support as you carry out your duties,’ he said.

Also, the President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), Prince Niyi Adeyeye, said the deployment of the battalion to Omu-Aran would restore peace and security in the community and Kwara South.

Adeyeye commended security agencies, local vigilantes and community security volunteers for their courage, dedication and sacrifices in protecting the communities.

He also commended AbdulRazaq for his efforts and responsiveness to the concerns of the people.

‘We are particularly grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for responding decisively to the security concerns of the people of Kwara South and Omu-Aran in particular,’ the council chairman said.

‘This intervention is a significant demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians and restoring peace, confidence and economic stability to the communities.’

Also, a community leader and retired General, Lasisi Abidoye, acknowledged the efforts of President Tinubu and AbdulRazaq towards the establishment of the new battalion and assured officers and men of the Army deployed to Omu-Aran of maximum support to carry out their duties.

Earlier, the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig Gen. Nicholas Rume, expressed appreciation to the people of Omu-Aran for the warm reception accorded the officers and soldiers.

He said the deployment was part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity across the country.

‘It is a very remarkable day for all of us, and we all know that as part of the President’s Strategic Directive, the Nigerian Army is expanding. The Chief of Army Staff, on his own part, to achieve his strategic vision, has deployed his battalion here to take care of security incidents in Kwara South.

Rume thanked residents of Omu-Aran axis for their support to the Army.

‘I sincerely appreciate everybody for coming out. This is really surprising. I was just expecting to come and start cleaning our rooms and entering. We didn’t know that anything of this was being planned. So, thank you everybody for coming out.

‘To my soldiers and officers out there, you can see the kind of support you already have on coming here. So I don’t think that the task would be difficult. When you have the people on your side, I think 75 percent of the job is done,’ the army chief added.

Comedian and skit maker Josh Alfred, popularly known as Josh2Funny, has responded to the growing debate over ‘brain-rot’ content and semi-literate influencers in Nigeria.

The conversation was sparked by rapper YCee, who described the trend as the ‘Olodo Uprising’.

In a recent interview with media personality Nedu Wazobia, Josh2Funny said the so-called uprising is both a blessing and a curse.

He criticised critics for being too harsh on the new wave of creators, arguing that comedy was never intended to be intellectual.

‘What YCee said is straight-up the truth. There’s an uprising of the Olodo people. Now, it’s a blessing and a curse,’ he said.

‘When I started, it was easy for people to call me part of the Olodo Uprising. My character, ‘Mama Felicia’, didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t well-articulated comedy. I was just fooling around.’

Josh2Funny added that the elite’s dismissal of such content overlooks its impact.

‘Comedy has never been something that is supposed to be intelligent. The so-called elite might call it ‘stupid’, but it built a million-dollar industry called Nollywood,’ he said.

The comedian also blamed social media for amplifying the trend.

He cited streamer Peller as an example, saying he would have remained unknown without online platforms.

‘It’s just that social media has now exaggerated it. The person in question, Peller, you see him all the time. If it were when there was no social media, nobody would know what he does.

‘So, it is easy for trolls to come for him because his life is in public. Also, some people are envious of him for being blessed without a degree or quality education.’

He concluded, ‘But what would you have him do? Should he become a thief because he doesn’t know how to speak good English?’

A growing campaign of allegations against the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, deserves to be tested against the law, institutional responsibilities and verifiable data rather than insinuation.

The latest claims by the self-styled Oil and Gas Professional Forum, including allegations that Ojulari influenced associates to secure an Oil Mining Lease (OML) and that NNPC has become unproductive, raise fundamental questions about whether the critics understand Nigeria’s post-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) regulatory framework.

Under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the administration and award of petroleum prospecting licences and petroleum mining leases fall within the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), subject to the provisions of the law.

Section 73 of the PIA further provides that petroleum prospecting licences and petroleum mining leases shall be granted through a fair, transparent and competitive bidding process in accordance with the Act, relevant regulations and licensing-round guidelines issued by the Commission.

NNPCL, by contrast, operates as Nigeria’s national oil company with a distinct commercial mandate.

Conflating NUPRC’s regulatory responsibilities with NNPCL’s commercial functions risks creating a misleading impression of how petroleum licensing operates under the PIA.

Public officials and institutions should undoubtedly be subjected to rigorous scrutiny, but such scrutiny must be based on facts, evidence and the actual legal framework governing the sector.

Production figures tell a different story

The claim that NNPCL under Ojulari has been unproductive is difficult to reconcile with available production figures.

Average crude oil production, including condensates, rose from approximately 1.60 million barrels per day in April 2025 to 1.67 million barrels per day in April 2026, an increase of about 70,000 barrels per day.

Gas production also increased from approximately 7,354 million standard cubic feet per day in April 2025 to 7,729 mmscfd in April 2026, representing growth of about five per cent.

These figures do not suggest an organisation moving backwards.

Nigeria’s petroleum industry continues to face challenges, including ageing infrastructure, under-investment, insecurity, production disruptions and operational bottlenecks, making sustained increases in crude and gas output significant.

If the Oil and Gas Professional Forum has contrary data demonstrating that NNPCL’s performance has deteriorated, it should publish those figures and subject them to independent scrutiny.

Transparency must be measured by evidence

The allegation that NNPCL lacks accountability also requires examination against its publicly available financial disclosures.

NNPCL publishes regular financial and operational reports, providing figures for examination by investors, regulators and the public.

In June 2026, the company recorded ?535 billion in profit after tax, up from ?462 billion in May, while total revenue stood at ?4.389 trillion.

Cumulative statutory payments to the Federation between January and June 2026 were ?6.286 trillion.

If these figures are disputed, critics should present the evidence supporting their claims rather than relying on broad allegations.

Accountability is ultimately about disclosure, measurable performance and the willingness to subject published figures to scrutiny.

Scrutiny must not become a weapon

There is nothing wrong with questioning NNPCL’s leadership or demanding greater transparency from the national oil company.

What should concern Nigerians is the possibility that legitimate oversight could be turned into a tool in the broader contest for influence, access and commercial opportunities in an industry undergoing significant structural change.

Nigeria’s petroleum sector requires transparency, competition, effective regulation and institutional discipline.

It does not need manufactured allegations, selective statistics or narratives designed to undermine institutions without verifiable evidence.

If the allegations against Ojulari and NNPCL are genuine, those making them should provide the documents, data and evidence necessary for independent scrutiny.

But where the law assigns petroleum licensing to NUPRC, production figures show measurable increases, and NNPCL is publishing substantial financial disclosures, sweeping claims of regulatory interference, non-productivity and lack of accountability require considerably more evidence than has so far been presented.

Nigeria deserves scrutiny of its petroleum industry, but that scrutiny must be evidence-based, legally grounded and directed at strengthening institutions rather than advancing private interests.