Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, has criticised the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for failing to appear before the National Assembly, saying the company cannot act as if it is above the country’s democratic institutions.
Speaking during a committee hearing at the National Assembly, Oshiomhole said the NNPCL had shown disrespect to lawmakers by sending officials instead of its top leadership to present matters before the Senate.
The former Edo State governor compared the situation with the annual presentation of the national budget, noting that President Bola Tinubu personally appears before a joint session of the National Assembly to present the Appropriation Bill despite having experts who prepare the document.
According to him, if the President can personally perform such an important constitutional duty, there is no reason why the leadership of the NNPCL should fail to appear before lawmakers.
“Even the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, does not delegate his finance officer to present the annual budget, which is prepared by financial gurus because we have three independent arms of government,” Oshiomhole said.
He stressed that the President leaves the Presidential Villa every year to present the budget before the Senate, the House of Representatives and the leadership of the National Assembly, demonstrating respect for the legislature and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“So if Tinubu will leave the Villa to address the Senate President, the Chairman of the legislative arm, senators and the House of Representatives, I have issues why NNPCL thinks it is too big,” he said.
Oshiomhole also criticised what he described as repeated excuses by the company’s leadership for not attending committee hearings.
He referred to reports that some officials were unavailable because of health reasons, saying he hoped they would recover quickly but insisted that the company’s affairs must not be allowed to suffer.
“They are bedridden, they have medical certificates. May they not be bedridden for too long so that the country can move on,” he remarked.
The senator maintained that the NNPCL should always remember that it remains a government-owned institution, regardless of its commercial status under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“I think the NNPCL is forgetting that it is an agency of government, while we are representatives of the people.
“You cannot behave as if you’re above the representatives of the people. I refuse to believe that the NNPCL is bigger than the system,” he said.
His comments came during deliberations by a Senate committee, where lawmakers expressed concern over the absence of the company’s top management.
Although the details of the hearing were not fully disclosed, the exchange reflects growing scrutiny of the NNPCL by the National Assembly over its operations, finances and accountability.
Since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has operated as a commercially driven limited liability company wholly owned by the Federal Government.
The reform transformed the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into a limited liability company with the expectation that it would become more efficient, profitable and transparent.
Despite its commercial status, the Federal Government remains the sole shareholder, while the National Assembly continues to exercise oversight over the company’s activities, especially on matters involving public funds, national energy security and compliance with existing laws.
Lawmakers have repeatedly summoned NNPCL officials to explain issues relating to fuel supply, refinery rehabilitation, crude oil production, subsidy-related matters and the company’s financial performance.
Parliamentary oversight is one of the key responsibilities of the National Assembly under the Nigerian Constitution. Through committee hearings and investigations, lawmakers examine the activities of ministries, departments and agencies to ensure accountability and proper use of public resources.
Failure by senior officials to honour invitations from lawmakers has often led to criticism, with some legislators describing such actions as disrespectful to the institution and the Nigerian people.
Oshiomhole’s remarks also reflect a broader debate about the relationship between government agencies and the National Assembly, particularly as reforms continue in the oil and gas sector.
The oil industry remains Nigeria’s biggest source of foreign exchange earnings and one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
As a result, decisions taken by the NNPCL attract significant public attention because they affect government revenue, fuel availability, energy security and the wider economy.
While the NNPCL has yet to publicly respond to Oshiomhole’s comments, the senator’s criticism is expected to add to ongoing discussions about the company’s relationship with the legislature and the importance of accountability in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.