A coalition of energy rights campaigners under the banner of the Energy Justice Forum (EJF) has called on the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to steer clear of what it labelled “the dubious, dollar-chasing reforms” of his predecessor, Mele Kyari.
In a statement released on Friday, April 11, by Dr Godknows Manager, National President of the coalition, the group emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparency and warned that secrecy and elitist policies cannot form the foundation of a sustainable energy future.
“It would be a fatal mistake for the new leadership at NNPCL to continue on the path orchestrated by Kyari — a path that nearly collapsed our economy, undermined local refining, and exposed the country to foreign exchange shocks,” the statement read.
The group demanded a full audit of Kyari’s tenure, including all contracts, swap deals, and transactions executed under the guise of liberalisation.
“We are watching closely. Nigerians are watching. And we will not hesitate to mobilise civil society resistance if old habits creep back in through the back door,” the forum warned.
“Nigerians deserve transparency, not tokenism; energy justice, not backdoor deals, There must be a clear audit of Kyari’s tenure — all contracts, all swaps, and all the shady transactions disguised as ‘liberalisation’. We are demanding full disclosure and accountability,” the statement continued.
The EJF also praised the executive arm of government for reinstating the naira-for-crude policy, describing it as a vital move that supports local refineries and serves the broader Nigerian populace.
According to Dr Manager, the shift away from a dollar-denominated model is not solely about supporting the Dangote Refinery, but rather about rejuvenating domestic refining capacities in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna, and relieving ordinary Nigerians of the burden of an import-dependent energy system.
He called the policy “the most patriotic intervention in Nigeria’s petroleum sector in recent history” and urged the new NNPCL leadership to align with President Bola Tinubu’s reformist agenda.
“We must be clear — this policy is not about Dangote alone. It is about returning value to Nigerians, enabling our local refineries to thrive, and ensuring that Nigerians are not perpetually held hostage to dollar-based fuel pricing,” Manager said.
He further encouraged the NNPCL board to strengthen collaboration with local investors and engineers, stressing that a sustainable energy future must be built on openness and national inclusion.
“This is a new dawn. The new NNPCL must walk in light, not shadows,” he concluded.
