The cost of importing fuel reached around ₦3 trillion between October 1 and November 11, putting the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) under close scrutiny.
Nigeria imported 13,500 metric tons of aviation fuel, 414,018 metric tonnes of diesel, and 1.5 million metric tonnes of gasoline during this time despite promises to rely on domestic refineries like the Dangote Refinery.
The NNPCL’s leadership was criticized by Dr. Robinson Onuh, Executive Director of the Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria (ERAN), who called the recent firings of senior officials a simple “face-saving maneuver.” “The dismissal of a few officials is insufficient,” Onuh stated. The main source of the issues facing the energy sector is Farouk Ahmed, Mele Kyari, and other top regulatory bodies.
Citing better corporate governance, NNPCL recently fired Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President (Upstream), and Umar Ajiya, Chief Financial Officer.
But Onuh said, “Kyari has made a U-turn on his pledge, demonstrating a lack of integrity,” accusing NNPCL of breaking its promises.
The activist brought attention to the terrible condition of refineries owned by the government, such as those in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt.
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“Trillions have been pumped into these facilities, but they are still in a coma, forcing Nigerians to put up with tainted fuel,” he continued.
NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye responded by disputing allegations of a breach of promise and making it clear that Mele Kyari’s pledge was to give local refining priority rather than to totally stop imports.
ERAN cautioned that further mismanagement could exacerbate Nigeria’s economic problems and called for quick reforms to revitalize the nation’s failing refineries.
“To break this cycle of inefficiency, the government must prioritize transparency and swift action,” Onuh stated.
Accountability is being demanded as Nigerians struggle with exorbitant fuel prices and restricted access to high-quality goods.
