The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was formally unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday. He also declared that the new organization would no longer be subject to institutional regulations.
Buhari announced this at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and promised that the oil company would work in accordance with ethical standards set by other nations.
He said, “The provisions of PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) 2021, have given the Nigerian petroleum industry a new impetus, with an improved fiscal framework, transparent governance, enhanced regulation, and the creation of a commercially-driven and independent national oil company that will operate without relying on government funding and free from institutional regulations such as the Treasury Single Account, Public Procurement, and Fiscal Responsibility Acts.
“It will, of course, conduct itself under the best international business practice in transparency, governance, and commercial viability.”
According to the President, the government is reforming the petroleum sector to increase its market relevance and capabilities for today’s and tomorrow’s global energy priorities.
“By chance of history, I was privileged to lead the creation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on the July 1, 1977. Forty-Four years later, I was again privileged to sign the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021, heralding the long-awaited reform of our petroleum sector,” he stated.
The President further noted that coincidentally, “I, on July 1, 2022, authorised the transfer of assets from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to its successor company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and steered the implementation leading to the unveiling of Africa’s largest national oil company today.
“I, therefore, thank Almighty God for choosing me to consistently play an important role in shaping the destiny of our national oil company from the good to the great.
“NNPC Limited will operate as a commercial, independent, and viable NOC at par with its peers around the world to sustainably deliver value to its over 200 million shareholders and the global energy community while adhering to its fundamental corporate values of integrity, excellence, and sustainability.”
According to him, NNPC Limited is required by law to guarantee that Nigeria’s national energy security supports sustained growth across other economic sectors while supplying energy to the rest of the globe.
“It is, therefore, my singular honour and privilege on this historic day of July 19, 2022, to unveil the NNPC Limited, with a focus on becoming a dynamic global energy company of choice to deliver energy for today for tomorrow, for the day days after tomorrow,” Buhari stated.
