Group warns against politicizing NNPC, confirms northern oil exploration ongoing

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Concerned Northern Forum has strongly cautioned against attempts to weaponize the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to ignite regional and ethnic divisions between Northern and Southern Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, the forum’s convener, Aliyu Muhammad, dismissed recent media reports alleging biased recruitment processes and the suspension of frontier oil exploration in the North, labeling the claims as misleading and factually incorrect.
Addressing allegations of irregular employment practices, Muhammad stated that NNPC Ltd has not conducted any recent recruitment or senior management appointments.
He clarified the timeline of recent corporate events 2025 headhunting – the referenced senior management appointments actually occurred in the third quarter of 2025 through a transparent, merit-based headhunting process to fill critical, specialized roles.
The forum noted that critics have erroneously linked the 2025 appointments to a separate corporate employee exit scheme implemented on June 30, 2026.
Muhammad criticized elements attempting to sensationalize the issue by including staff members who joined the company long before the current management took office.
The forum strongly refuted claims that oil exploration in Northern Nigeria has been defunded or halted.
Muhammad, while explaining the regulatory framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) said: “The interests of Northern Nigeria are not under threat. What’s needed is patience, understanding, and support for institutions operating within the legal and regulatory framework.
“Under the PIA, the financial responsibility for frontier exploration rests with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), not NNPC Ltd.
“NNPC Ltd remains fully prepared to execute exploration activities as directed by the regulator.
“Major initiatives, including the Kolmani Integrated Development Project and other frontier basin operations, remain active national priorities being developed for long-term commercial sustainability.”
The forum expressed full confidence in the leadership, corporate governance, and fiscal compliance of NNPC Ltd.
The group stated that there is no evidence suggesting the company violated the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) or the PIA.
Additionally, the forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing a robust legal framework that has enhanced NNPC Ltd’s commercial focus and accountability, while urging the public to verify information through official channels to protect national unity.