The Senate has fixed April 29, 2026, as the final deadline for the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to appear before its Committee on Public Accounts over unresolved financial queries.
The decision was reached during a committee session chaired by Senator Aliyu Wadada, representing Nasarawa West. The panel is probing an alleged N210 trillion yet to be fully accounted for in audit reports covering 2017 to 2023.
The committee directed the current Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Bayo Ojulari, to appear alongside former GCEO Mele Kyari, ex-Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Dr Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors.
This resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso and supported by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Speaking during the session, Wadada stressed that the explanations provided so far by NNPCL were inadequate, noting that Nigerians deserve clear and detailed accountability.
He faulted the company’s claim that N103 trillion represented liabilities, insisting that a proper breakdown of components such as retention fees, legal fees, and audit fees must be provided.
The committee also demanded clarity on the remaining N107 trillion, which NNPCL said was spent on joint venture cash calls and debts allegedly linked to unnamed defunct banks.
Wadada maintained that the agency must present comprehensive explanations, warning that the committee would not accept vague or general responses.
Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Ningi raised concerns over NNPCL’s repeated failure to honour invitations, urging the Senate to invoke its constitutional powers to compel compliance.
He emphasized that the authority of the legislature must be upheld, warning against a growing trend of public officials ignoring summons from the National Assembly.
The committee ultimately resolved to give NNPCL a final two-week window to appear, setting April 29 as the deadline for compliance.
