Pipeline Contract: NASS Probes NNPCL, Oil Revenue, Surveillance Deal Thursday

The Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Gas) of the Senate and House of Representatives have fixed Thursday, February 26, 2026, for a high-level investigative hearing into the petroleum pipeline surveillance security contract and the financial operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The investigative session will hold at the Senate Conference Room 231, New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The probe, convened pursuant to Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and relevant Presidential Executive Orders on fiscal transparency and cost efficiency, will focus on revenue protection and national energy security.

In a joint letter signed by the chairmen of the respective committees — Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Gas, Senate), Hon. Nicholas Mutu (Gas, House), Sen. Eteng Jonah Williams (Upstream, Senate), Hon. Ado Doguwa (Upstream, House), Sen. Suleiman A Kawu (Downstream, Senate), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Onyinye (Downstream, House), and Hon. Prince Henry Okojie (Midstream, House) — the lawmakers emphasised that the probe was aimed at strengthening accountability in petroleum revenue management.

They stated that the hearing would serve as “a decisive platform for interrogating the effectiveness of the petroleum pipeline surveillance security contract and reinforcing transparency, fiscal discipline and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

At the centre of the hearing is a comprehensive review of the pipeline surveillance security contract, including its procurement process, funding structure, scope of work, performance benchmarks and value for money.

Lawmakers are expected to assess whether the contract has effectively curtailed crude oil theft, reduced pipeline vandalism and improved production volumes in line with its objectives and contract sum.

The joint committees will also examine how the surveillance arrangement aligns with broader sector reforms and whether it has translated into measurable gains in revenue remittance to the Federation Account.

A formal invitation has been issued to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engr. Bashir Ojulari.

Copies of the invitation were also sent to the Attorney General of the Federation; the ministers responsible for petroleum (oil and gas); the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; the Special Adviser to the President on Energy; the Accountant General of the Federation, and heads of relevant regulatory agencies.

Beyond the surveillance contract, the hearing will review the financial operations and expenditure profile of NNPCL and its subsidiaries, including statutory remittance of royalties, rents and taxes.

Other areas listed for scrutiny include the implementation of host community trust funds, domestic gas obligations, refining capacity, petroleum product supply and pricing, as well as liabilities arising from crude oil and gas sale arrangements.

Regulatory institutions such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority will also be assessed over their oversight responsibilities and performance benchmarks.

All invited officials are required to appear in person with their Chief Accounting Officers and submit 20 hard copies and a soft copy of a comprehensive briefing memorandum.

The submission must include audited financial statements for 2023–2025, bank statements of operational and statutory accounts, detailed remittance schedules to the Federation Account and compliance reports on relevant Executive Orders issued since 2023.

The joint committees underscored that the hearing is statutory and mandatory, warning that failure to honour the invitation or provide requested documentation may attract constitutional sanctions, including the issuance of warrants where necessary.