Media Trial Stifling Nigeria’s Oil Sector Performance, African Energy Council Warns
…Says Regulatory Consistency, Institutional Continuity Needs For Energy Sector Growth
The African Energy Council (AEC) has said that the series of media trials, needless probes, and investigations being conducted in the oil and gas sector is stifling the growth and development of the sector.
The Council, in a statement seen by THE WHISTLER, warned that with the recent allegations and investigations involving the leadership at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), there is an urgent need to step back and reassess national priorities.
The Council said it believes that this is a critical moment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector — one that demands unwavering focus, strategic execution, and long-term vision.
It said, “As headlines once again turn to allegations and investigations involving leadership at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), there is an urgent need to step back and reassess national priorities.
“This is not the first time Nigeria has faced a wave of high-profile probes in the petroleum sector. From the widely publicised cases involving former Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke to the arrest of former NNPC GMD Andrew Yakubu, Nigeria has, over the past two decades, launched numerous investigative efforts.
“Yet, despite the media attention, these efforts have done little to fundamentally shift sector performance, governance quality, or investor sentiment.”
Rather than engage in needless probes, the Council said there is a need to focus such energy to boost oil production in line with the budget parameters.
It added, “Today, Nigeria’s production levels remain fragile, fluctuating between 1.4 and 1.6 million barrels per day, well below both its 2 million bpd budget benchmark and OPEC quota.
“Meanwhile, the country’s four state-owned refineries—intended as a cornerstone of national energy security—have continued to underperform, despite years of rehabilitation attempts and expenditures exceeding ₦4tn.
“The challenge before Nigeria is not simply one of accountability, but of institutional delivery. At a time when global capital is becoming more selective, and the energy transition is reshaping upstream investment strategies, Nigeria cannot afford to be distracted by reactive cycles.
“The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is still in early stages, and its success hinges on stable leadership, clear policy direction, and results-driven reform.
“The AEC therefore urges a realignment of national attention toward outcomes that will tangibly benefit the Nigerian people.”
It called for reforms to boost oil output back above two million bpd to maximise fiscal resilience and foreign exchange earnings, completing refinery rehabilitation to reduce import dependency and reclaim value along the downstream chain and restoring confidence among investors and international partners through regulatory consistency and institutional continuity.
It also added that there is a need to enhance transparency and governance without sacrificing operational momentum.
“This is not a dismissal of the need for oversight or reform. But the country must be cautious not to mistake movement for progress.
“A sustainable future for Nigeria’s energy sector will not be built in courtrooms—it will be built in control rooms, boardrooms, and drilling fields,” the statement added.
The Council said the sector’s credibility and Nigeria’s broader economic stability depend not only on holding individuals accountable but also on ensuring that the system delivers.
“It is time to look ahead and commit to the reforms, investments, and partnerships that will unlock Nigeria’s energy potential in the decade ahead,” the statement added.
THE WHISTLER had last week reported that barely a week after staging a protest calling for the probe and prosecution of the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari, a coalition of civil society organisations had made a U-turn, withdrawing all allegations and saying it no longer want the former NNPCL helmsman investigated.
The group under the auspices of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC), had last week led a protest to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to call for the prosecution of Kyari.
The coalition during the protest had lamented that despite the dismissal of Kyari and the entire NNPCL board by President Bola Tinubu on April 2 2025, no steps have been taken to investigate the alleged corrupt practices under the former GCEO’s leadership.
The convener of CCAC, comrade Kabir Matazu, admitted that its April 23 protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice was hasty, premature, and lacking in facts.
He claimed that the earlier decision by the group to launch a nationwide protest and demand the probe of Kyari was driven by a limited understanding of the strategic intents and works of the NNPC as a limited liability company.
Matazu had said the group acted on misinformation provided by individuals with questionable motives, particularly naming Philip Agbese, the House of Representatives member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency 1, as one of those who misled them into making unfounded accusations.
According to him, having consulted widely and reviewed the facts, “we are convinced that Kyari acted within the scope of his responsibilities and in accordance with due process.”
He said, “As responsible corporate citizens, we and all our Civil Society partners who organized a protest on 23rd April 2025 against Mallam Mele Kyari have taken the hard decision of admitting that our earlier decision to launch a nationwide protest and demand the probe of the Ex-NNPLC boss was driven by our limited understanding of the strategic intents and works of the NNPC as a limited liability company under the leadership of Mele Kyari.
“Our action was therefore hasty, premature and lacking in facts.
Despite our constructive and patriotic intentions, which were aimed at fostering accountability and transparency in governance, we were misled by those we trusted to provide us with the basic facts.
“Particularly, Hon. Philip Agbese provided ill-conceived and misguided information to our group. Indeed, no amount of apology will compensate for the damage caused by our own admissible errors and omissions.
“It is highly regrettable that, despite our best efforts, we were dragged unknowingly into the allegation about a crude deal with Matrix Energy by individuals with unpatriotic intentions. We admit in humility that it is statutory for NNPCL, whether under Kyari or the new management, to enter into business agreements.
“There is nothing illegal about what the company did under Mallam Mele Kyari as we were erroneously made to believe. NNPLC is sanctioned at the highest authorities to enter into such deals, and if there are issues, it will be handled appropriately in close coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum.”
The group further praised Kyari’s leadership during his time at NNPCL, noting his role in the transformation of the organisation, the unbundling of the company, the return to profitability, and efforts to revive Nigeria’s long-dormant refineries.
Similarly, Kyari had, while responding to claims of his alleged probe, said that he served Nigeria with the fear of God and would be willing to account for his stewardship during his time at the national oil company.
Kyari said this in response to claims in some quarters that he was detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In a post made on his X account (formerly Twitter), the ex-NNPC Boss said he served his country diligently with the fear of God.
He described reports claiming that he was being detained by the EFCC as a “clear mischief” and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only they know.”
Kyari further said in the post that he is taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which he was the Group Chief Executive.
He said, “Over the past few days and in particular in the past
two hours, I have been inundated with calls from concerned family and friends over claims by an online newspaper that I was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“This is clear mischief and a calculated attempt by the newspaper and its sponsors to achieve a desired outcome, which only them know.
“At present, I am taking a well-deserved rest after the dissolution of the management and board of the NNPCL, of which I was the Group Chief Executive.
“It should be stated that having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years, and 17 of those in management roles and especially the last 5 years and 9 months, I had little time for leave of even two weeks.
“So, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve under their Excellencies Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I must emphasise that I served with the fear of God, knowing fully well as a Muslim that if I do not account before man, I will account before Allah, and that I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. Therefore, having served in public capacity, I am willing and happy to account for my stewardship in this world.”
While expressing his willingness to account for his stewardship at NNPC, Kyari noted that the resort to disinformation does not serve any good purpose for the NNPCL or the country in general.
Such disinformation, he added, has the potential to send the wrong signals to investors and the international community.
“It is in this regard that I urge the media to be circumspect and avoid being stampeded into misleading the public on unverified stories or matters that are subject to further validation by relevant organisations.
“I sincerely thank my family and friends who have reached out to me or tried to do so, and assure them that I am available to respond to all lawful queries,” he concluded.
Media Trial Stifling Nigeria’s Oil Sector Performance, African Energy Council Warns is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
