A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called for the swift arrest and prosecution of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, over allegations of corruption.
Speaking to journalists near the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, members of OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Concerned Citizens accused Ojulari of gross misconduct.
“We, the coalition of OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and concerned citizens, stand united today to confront a grave injustice that threatens the soul of our nation and undermines the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. We are here to demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), who has been directly implicated in a massive corruption scandal.
“His actions have plunged Nigeria into a crisis of trust and economic sabotage, and we will not stand idly by while one individual’s greed tarnishes our collective future. The evidence against Ojulari is damning, and the EFCC must act swiftly to bring him to justice,” the coalition said.
in a text of press conference jointly signed by Emmanuel Ekpeyong of OilWatch Nigeria, Danladi Usman of Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Babatunde Anifowoshe of Concerned Citizens Watch, the groups alleged that the EFCC’s recent reported detention of an alleged associate of Ojulari for three days revealed a massive fraud scheme within the NNPCL.
They claimed the suspect confessed that the $21 million—equivalent to approximately ₦34.65 billion at the exchange rate of ₦1,650 to $1—found in his account belonged to a senior NNPCL official.
“Let us be clear: this is not a trivial sum. Thirty-four billion, six hundred and fifty million naira is an obscene amount of money, enough to fund critical infrastructure, healthcare, or education for millions of Nigerians. Yet, this fortune was allegedly stashed in an account that previously held a mere $5,000 (₦8.25 million). This revelation alone demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bayo Ojulari to uncover the full extent of his illicit dealings and ensure justice for the Nigerian people,” they stated.
The coalition further accused Ojulari of indulging in an extravagant lifestyle, claiming he resides in the Presidential Suite of the Wells Carlton Hotel.
“This ostentatious lifestyle, funded by questionable means, is a gross betrayal of public trust and a clear indication of ill-gotten wealth,” the statement alleged, warning that Ojulari’s continued leadership was damaging the Tinubu administration.
“Ojulari’s actions are inflicting irreparable harm on President Tinubu’s reputation. His leadership at NNPCL has fostered a culture of corruption, eroding public confidence in the government’s commitment to transparency. Allowing him to remain free sends a dangerous signal that corruption is tolerated at the highest levels.
“Cronyism and Abuse of Power: Ojulari has filled key NNPCL positions with unqualified loyalists, sidelining competent professionals and prioritising personal gain over national interest. This cronyism has crippled NNPCL’s efficiency and deepened public distrust, particularly among oil workers,” they claimed.
The CSOs urged the EFCC to take immediate action and also called on President Tinubu to relieve Ojulari of his duties.
“We also demand that President Tinubu sack Ojulari from his position as NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption and restore public confidence in his administration,” they said.
The coalition announced plans to stage protests to push their demands.
“To press home our demands, we announce a three-day peaceful protest starting tomorrow, August 1, 2025, at the National Assembly, NNPCL Headquarters, and the EFCC office in Abuja. These protests, led by OilWatch Nigeria and Workers’ Rights Alliance, will send a clear message to the authorities: Nigerians, especially those in the oil sector and workers across the nation, will not tolerate corruption on this scale. We will march until Bayo Ojulari is arrested, prosecuted, and removed from office.
“Mr. President, your administration promised renewed hope for Nigerians. Allowing Bayo Ojulari to evade justice undermines that promise and risks further economic sabotage and public unrest. We urge you to act decisively by supporting the EFCC’s efforts to arrest and prosecute Ojulari and by removing him from NNPCL immediately. Your legacy depends on your commitment to rooting out corruption, starting with this case,” the CSOs added.
