The Nigerian Senate has significantly intensified its pressure on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), issuing a summons to its current and former top executives to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts. This directive, slated for April 29, pertains to an alarming sum of N210 trillion that is alleged to be inadequately accounted for in audit reports covering the period from 2017 to 2023. The summons mandates the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, to appear alongside his immediate past predecessor, Mele Kyari, former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Dr. Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts issued this resolution following a motion initiated by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North). This action reflects growing legislative concerns over what lawmakers have consistently described as unsatisfactory and vague responses from the national oil company regarding multiple previous audit queries. The committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), has unequivocally stated its intolerance for generalized explanations concerning the massive financial discrepancies, stressing that full transparency and accountability are owed to the Nigerian populace.

Senator Wadada specifically highlighted the N210 trillion flagged in the audit reports, emphasizing that the explanations provided by NNPCL remain insufficient. He singled out the N103 trillion that NNPCL broadly classified as “liabilities,” asserting that the committee, and by extension the Senate, is not satisfied with this blanket categorization. Wadada clarified that liabilities are not a single line item, but rather comprise distinct components such as retention fees, legal fees, and audit fees. He therefore demanded that the specific amounts expended on each of these components must be explicitly stated and fully justified.

Furthermore, the committee demanded a comprehensive breakdown and detailed explanations for the remaining N107 trillion. NNPCL had previously claimed this sum was disbursed for Joint Venture Cash Calls and tied to debts allegedly owed by unnamed defunct banks. Wadada insisted that precise explanations must be provided, especially regarding the identities of these financial institutions, which have not yet been disclosed. He pointed out that despite 19 separate queries already raised on these issues, the responses received from NNPCL have consistently fallen short of legislative expectations and public demand for convincing detail on the management of such substantial public resources.

In light of NNPCL's continued failure to provide satisfactory explanations, the Senate Committee has now issued what it terms a “final two-week window” for compliance. The strict deadline for appearance has been set for Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The committee issued a stern warning that any failure to appear on the scheduled date would result in the invocation of the Senate’s constitutional powers to compel attendance, marking a decisive escalation in legislative oversight.

This latest development underscores mounting frustration among lawmakers over what they perceive as a persistent disregard for legislative invitations by key officials of the national oil company. Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) had earlier called for a more resolute approach, urging the committee to leverage the full authority of the National Assembly to enforce compliance. Ningi lamented a growing trend of public officials ignoring legislative summons, warning that such actions significantly undermine the foundational principles of democracy and the authority of its institutions.

The Senate’s firm stance signifies a crucial shift towards stricter oversight of NNPCL. Lawmakers are intensifying their efforts to meticulously unravel discrepancies within the company’s financial records and ensure unwavering accountability in the stewardship of the nation’s vital oil revenues. With the unequivocal April 29, 2026, deadline now established, all attention is fixed on whether the summoned NNPCL officials will comply, or if they will face the severe weight of legislative sanctions in what is poised to become a defining moment for the National Assembly’s pivotal oversight role.