NNPCL CEO Under Scrutiny Over Dealings with Atiku’s Son-in-Law Amid ₦210 Trillion Audit Crisis
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, is facing increasing pressure as scrutiny intensifies over his alleged ties to controversial transactions involving Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The development comes as the Senate Public Accounts Committee presses for answers over a staggering ₦210 trillion discrepancy in NNPCL’s financial records, uncovered in a recent audit.
The revelation has sparked outrage, amplified by reports that the NNPCL leadership recently embarked on a luxury retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, even as calls for transparency grow louder.
Sources close to the matter revealed that five private jets were used to transport NNPCL executives to Rwanda, with four of them allegedly arranged by AA & R Investment Group, a company owned by Bashir-Haske.
The company’s involvement has raised concerns about the blending of private business interests with national oil operations, especially in light of the owner’s political ties.
The retreat, which was framed as a strategic leadership session, has drawn public backlash, with critics condemning it as an inappropriate use of resources and a sign of misplaced priorities at a time when the company is under legislative scrutiny.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee has issued a stern warning to Ojulari and other NNPCL officials, demanding a detailed explanation for the missing trillions. Committee members have threatened arrest and legal action should the executives fail to provide satisfactory responses.
Lawmakers argue that the leadership of NNPCL must account for the discrepancies without delay, emphasizing that public trust in the oil sector is at stake.
“This is not just about numbers—it is about integrity, accountability, and leadership in Nigeria’s most critical revenue-generating industry,” said a senior senator during one of the hearings.
Though Bashir-Haske has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing, his role in coordinating the luxury trip and his close relationship with the former vice president have fueled suspicions about political influence in key state institutions. Analysts warn that such associations, if left unaddressed, could undermine the credibility of ongoing reforms within the NNPCL.
Observers also note that this episode mirrors a larger problem within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, where political connections often blur the lines between governance, business, and personal enrichment.
Public reaction to the revelations has been swift and critical. Civil society groups and transparency advocates are demanding a full investigation into the nature of the retreat, the role of Bashir-Haske, and the status of the NNPCL audit.
Some have called for an overhaul of corporate governance at the state oil company, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption by ensuring full accountability in the matter.
The fate of the NNPCL CEO now appears uncertain. With the Senate committee standing firm on its ultimatum, Ojulari may be compelled to appear before lawmakers to defend the company’s financial conduct and clarify his association with the controversial retreat.
If the committee’s demands are not met, lawmakers have hinted at invoking constitutional powers to compel attendance or pursue legal action—steps that could trigger a leadership shakeup within one of Nigeria’s most powerful institutions.
This unfolding drama is being closely watched, not only for its political implications but also for what it reveals about the state of transparency and accountability in the country’s oil sector.
