The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has raised alarm over what it describes as a coordinated campaign of sabotage by a network of internal and external actors. According to a statement released on Thursday and signed by the company’s management, these individuals aim to discredit NNPC’s leadership and obstruct its ongoing reforms.
NNPC claimed that both known and unnamed persons, operating inside and outside the organisation, are spreading false information to damage the company’s reputation and halt its transformation. It described the efforts as deliberate attacks by those who feel threatened by changes promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
The statement warned that more damaging and false reports targeting senior officials may soon surface. It accused the group of fabricating stories to distract the executive team, mislead the public, and lower morale among staff members. While no names were mentioned, NNPC framed the plot as an attempt to sabotage President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reposition the national oil firm.
Since it was registered as a limited liability company under the Companies and Allied Matters Act in 2021, NNPC has pushed several structural changes, especially throughout 2023 and 2024. The company says these reforms aim to make operations more transparent, cut out debt from past administrations, and eliminate hidden trading practices. These changes, however, have reportedly upset vested interests in areas like fuel swaps, pipeline security contracts, and product distribution.
Despite anticipating what it called a “smear campaign,” the company said it would not back down. It urged its employees, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public to ignore the noise and stay committed to reforming the energy sector. NNPC did not confirm if legal action is being considered.
Sources close to the company say internal checks may be increased to protect staff from the effects of misinformation. Meanwhile, civil society groups are expected to closely monitor how the company handles these allegations. The Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) has also shown signs of pushing for tighter oversight, which could bring more attention to the issue.
NNPC ended the statement with a firm message: the reform process will continue, no matter the resistance.
