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Reps Secure $37.4m Oil Debt Repayment as Probe Uncovers $1.7bn in Unpaid Royalties

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The House of Representatives has announced that seven oil companies have pledged to settle a cumulative debt of $37.4 million owed to the Federation Account before August 2025.

Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, highlighting the commitment as part of an ongoing investigation by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“This commitment follows the Committee’s scrutiny of financial records from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which flagged significant lapses in royalty payments and reconciliation processes across the sector,” Rotimi stated.

The pledged repayment is a fraction of the ₦9 trillion outstanding liability flagged by the Auditor General for the Federation in the 2021 report submitted to the National Assembly. The debts, some of which have accrued over four years, underscore persistent revenue leakages in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

$1.7 Billion Still Unpaid by 45 Companies

Beyond the seven firms that have agreed to settle their debts, the Committee’s probe has uncovered an additional $1.7 billion (₦2.5 trillion) in unpaid royalty payments by 45 oil and gas companies as of December 31, 2024.

The seven companies that acknowledged their outstanding liabilities and pledged to clear them before August 2025 are:

Belema Oil

Panocean Oil Nigeria Ltd

Newcross Exploration & Production Ltd

Dubri Oil Company Ltd

Chorus Energy

Amni International

Network Exploration

Nine Companies Contest $429.2 Million Debt Figures

Meanwhile, nine companies with a combined outstanding balance of $429.2 million have contested the figures provided by the NUPRC, requesting a reconciliation process to verify their actual liabilities. These companies include:

Aradel/Niger Delta

Chevron

STAR DEEP

Shore Line

Seplat Producing Unlimited

Esso Erha

Esso Usan

Eroton Exploration

Seplat Energy

The committee has mandated that the reconciliation process be concluded within two weeks, after which companies must settle their confirmed debts without delay.

28 Companies Fail to Honour House Invitation

In a more concerning development, 28 oil companies collectively owing $1,230,708,293.14 have failed to appear before the Committee or respond to public notices. The House has granted them a final grace period of one week to submit relevant documentation and appear before the PAC.

The affected companies include:

Addax Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Ltd

AITEO Group

All Grace Energy

Amalgamated Oil Company Nigeria Limited

Total E&P Nigeria (OML 100, 102, 52 & 99)

Bilton Energy Limited

Enageed Resources Limited

Waltersmith Petroman Limited

Conoil Plc

Continental Oil & Gas Company Ltd

Energia Limited

First E&P Ltd

Frontier Oil Limited

General Hydrocarbons Limited

Green Energy International Ltd

Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd (NAE)

Neconde Energy Limited

Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) – OML 60, 61 & 63

Lekoil Oil and Gas Investments Limited

Midwestern Oil and Gas Limited

Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited

Oando Oil Ltd (OML 60, 61 & 62)

Heirs Holding

Pillar Oil Limited

Platform Petroleum Limited

Universal Energy Limited / Sinpec

Sahara Field Production Limited

Oriental Energy Resources Limited

Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe, the House warned, would attract firm legislative and regulatory sanctions to enforce accountability and compliance.

Two Companies Found Compliant

On a positive note, only two companies—Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production—were found to have fully met their royalty obligations.

The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing financial discipline in the oil and gas sector to plug revenue leakages and ensure all outstanding debts to the Federation Account are settled.

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Kano Assembly Moves to Impeach Deputy Governor Gwarzo Over ₦1.6bn Alleged Fraud

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Deputy Governor of Kano State Aminu Gwarzo

The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.

The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.

According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.

Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.

The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.

If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.

As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.

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IGP Inaugurates State Police Committee, Gives Four-Week Deadline

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State policing has been on the frontburner in Nigeria in recent years. Photo: X@PoliceNG

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.

The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.

“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.

He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.

“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.

The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.

It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.

The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.

Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.

The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.

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Tinubu swears in Disu as IGP, inaugurates RMAFC, FCSC commissioners

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.

In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.

Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).

The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.

He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.

A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.

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