Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has defended the performance of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, following criticism over the outcome of the recently concluded oil licensing round. NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority.” The company also highlighted what it described as sustained growth in crude oil production under the current management. It said average crude oil production, including condensate, rose from 1.60 million barrels per day (mbpd) in April 2025 to 1.67 million barrels per day by April 2026. “NNPC Limited remains committed to operating with transparency and will continue to engage openly on matters concerning the Company’s performance and operations.