Ayodele Momoh, the convener of the Oil & Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF), has accused the group CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPC, Bayo Ojulari of awarding oil blocks to his friends
and allies. 

Momoh’s allegations include that at least two oil blocks from the recent licensing round were awarded to individuals or companies linked to Ojulari. He also claims that Ojulari’s wife, who works with the Nigerian Upstream
Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) played a significant role in the bid evaluation process.

OGPF also accused NNPCL of attempting to divert attention from the allegations by  downplaying the importance  of the Marginal Field bid round and the potential conflicts of interest involved. 

The forum also questioned NNPCL’s emphasis on production figures, arguing that these figures did not resolve the
accountability and governance issues raised in relation to the bid process,

The group insists that of the 31 companies that emerged as winners and the 37 available oil blocks that were subsequently awarded, at least two landed in the hands of Ojulari’s friends. According to the energy professionals, NNPCL’s defence failed to address questions relating to alleged conflicts of interest, the identities of bid beneficiaries and the performance of the current NNPCL leadership.

OGPF further explained that one of the oil block awardees is a beneficiary of Funding and Technical Services Agreements (FTSAs) by NNPCL under Ojulari. The group noted that NNPCL’s reported 6 percent oil production growth and 5 percent gas production growth between April 2025 and August 2026 fell short of expectations of the leadership.

The forum also challenged what it described as NNPCL’s emphasis on production figures, arguing that performance claims did not resolve the accountability and governance issues raised in relation to the bid process.

“The NNPC publication attempts to distract from the substance of OGPF’s concerns by focusing on peripheral matters while failing to directly confront the questions put forward. OGPF maintains that the facts remain clear: A wife of Bayo Ojulari played a major role in the bid evaluation process. At least two of the marginal field award beneficiaries are close allies of Mr. Ojulari.

“One of the awardees holds the dubious distinction of being the first beneficiary of an FTSA award granted by Mr. Ojulari. OGPF rejects any attempt to treat these connections as coincidental. Where relationships and roles intersect in bid evaluation and awards, the outcome raises legitimate questions of conflict of interest and private gain that cannot be wished away through rhetorical framing,” the group said.

“The performance narrative does not answer the accountability question. The NNPC publication also pivots into a glossy account of production performance rather than addressing the governance and integrity concerns raised by OGPF. If the stated ambition is 3 million barrels within two years, then the current pace—measured by progress of approximately 80,000 barrels— cannot be treated as grounds for celebration,” the forum further stated.

NNPCL has denied these allegations on behalf of Ojulari and exonerated him of any wrongdoing while highlighting the firm’s performance under his leadership.