The Federal Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the Ministry of Petroleum instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell fuel at N1000 per litre, significantly above the approved pump price.
These reports, which have been widely shared online, falsely claim that Petroleum Minister Heineken Lokpobiri directed NNPCL to set fuel prices at this inflated rate. In response, the government issued a statement on Tuesday refuting these claims.
Nnemaka Okafor, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum, emphasized that such reports are baseless and intended to create unnecessary panic and confusion. “The Federal Government has never interfered with petroleum pricing decisions by NNPCL, let alone instructed any price increases,” Okafor stated.
The statement further condemned the misinformation, describing it as a deliberate attempt to incite public unrest. “We challenge anyone with evidence supporting these false claims to come forward,” Okafor added.
The statement clarified that NNPCL operates independently under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not interfere in its internal affairs, including pricing decisions.
The recent confusion stemmed from comments made by Minister Lokpobiri, who explained challenges related to fuel smuggling and pipeline vandalism. He noted that reducing fuel prices would not necessarily curb smuggling, as smugglers could still bypass enforcement efforts.
It is important to note that since the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, NNPCL has transitioned from a government agency to a limited liability company. As such, its operational decisions are no longer subject to direct federal government control.
