The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to clarify the fate of N500 billion reportedly missing from national oil revenues between October and December 2024.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged NNPCL’s leadership to take decisive action by cooperating with anti-graft agencies.
The group asked Mr Ojulari to name all individuals potentially linked to the shortfall and hand them over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for full investigation and prosecution.
According to SERAP, the call follows revelations by the World Bank, which recently stated that the NNPCL generated N1.1 trillion in oil-related income in 2024 but transferred only N600 billion to the Federation Account—leaving a gap of N500 billion unexplained.
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The organisation insisted that the NNPCL must work with the EFCC and ICPC to trace the missing funds, recover them in full, and ensure they are promptly paid into the Federation Account.
Citing a serious breach of constitutional responsibility, SERAP stressed that the situation raises urgent concerns about transparency in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The group maintained that the public has a right to know how national resources are managed, especially in light of growing economic hardship.
SERAP also noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently advised the Nigerian government to redirect proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidies into the national budget for improved fiscal balance.
“There is a strong public interest in uncovering what happened to this substantial sum of money,” the organisation said.
SERAP added that such financial discrepancies undermine public trust and the spirit of constitutional accountability.
SERAP maintained that Nigeria’s oil resources must be managed in the interest of its citizens, both now and in the years to come.
The organisation argued that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on why the NNPCL withheld subsidy savings from the Federation Account and why such actions have prevented state and local governments from receiving constitutionally mandated funds.
The letter read in part: “Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing public funds from the NNPCL meant for the economic development of the country. We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
“The missing oil revenue reflects a failure of NNPCL accountability more generally and is directly linked to the institution’s continuing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding the spending of their commonwealth.
“SERAP notes that the Supreme Court, in a groundbreaking judgment, recently declared that the Freedom of Information Act ‘is applicable and applies to the public records in the Federation’, including those kept by the NNPCL.
“SERAP is concerned that the Auditor-General of the Federation and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) have for many years documented reports of the disappearance of oil money from the NNPCL.
“The allegations have undermined the economic development of the country, trapped the majority of Nigerians in poverty, and deprived them of opportunities.
“The failure by the NNPCL to remit the money to the Federation Account is a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, national anticorruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
“Despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the entrenched culture of impunity of perpetrators.
“Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations.
“According to our information, the World Bank recently disclosed that out of the N1.1tn revenue from crude sales and other income in 2024, the NNPCL only remitted N600bn, leaving a deficit of N500bn unaccounted for.
“The revenue and other income were expected to be paid into the Federation Account and shared by all levels of government but the NNPCL reportedly failed to do so. SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the NNPCL to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the NNPCL to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.”
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“These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected. Explaining the spending details and whereabouts of the missing N500 billion public funds, identifying those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
“The missing oil revenue has also impeded Nigerians’ ability to enjoy their economic and social rights, and denied them access to essential public goods and services, especially at the time of cost of living crisis in the country.
“The missing oil revenue has further damaged the already precarious economy and contributed to very high levels of deficit spending by the government.”
“Had the NNPCL accounted for and remitted the alleged missing N500 billion to the Federation Account, it is likely that more funds would have been allocated to the fulfilment of economic and social rights, such as increased spending on public goods and services.
“Without the full recovery and remittance of the missing N500 billion of oil revenue, the dire economic situation may worsen and Nigerians will continue to be denied access to basic public goods and services.
“The Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee to everyone the right to information on the whereabouts of the missing N500 billion of oil revenue.”
