Movement demands probe into oil block awards to newly incorporated firms, says it will occupy Abuja streets if anti-graft agencies fail to act
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Progressive Movement has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, over questions surrounding the award of oil blocks to newly incorporated companies in the 2025 licensing round.
The group has given the anti-corruption agencies 14 days to commence an investigation into the allegations and concerns raised over the licensing process, warning that it will mobilise members and supporters to stage a protest and occupy designated public spaces in Abuja if the agencies fail to act.
The demand follows an investigation published by TrackNews Online, which raised questions about the corporate identities, incorporation dates and ownership structures of companies announced as successful bidders in the licensing round.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its President, Mr. James Collins, and Secretary, Mr. Benjamin Jacob, the movement said the reported discrepancies warranted urgent scrutiny by the country’s anti-corruption institutions.
The group maintained that Nigeria’s petroleum resources are national assets and that every licensing process must be conducted transparently, with strict adherence to established laws and qualification requirements.
14-Day Ultimatum to EFCC, ICPC
The Nigeria Progressive Movement urged the EFCC and ICPC to examine the circumstances surrounding the awards, verify the eligibility of the successful bidders and determine whether any evidence exists of favouritism, improper influence or financial inducements.
The group said it expects the agencies to take concrete investigative steps within 14 days of its formal demand.
It warned that failure by the agencies to act within the stated period would leave it with no other option, according to its position, than to mobilise members and supporters for a peaceful street protest in Abuja to demand accountability and Eyesan’s removal.
The movement said the proposed demonstration would seek to draw national attention to its concerns about transparency in the petroleum sector and the responsibilities of regulatory authorities.
Questions Over Newly Incorporated Companies
The TrackNews Online investigation identified eight companies that were incorporated between approximately four and twenty-six months before the announcement of the licensing awards on July 21, 2026.
The companies include BVOF Energy Company Limited, Gupsco Energy Limited, Volonte Oil and Gas Limited, Saratoga Oil and Gas Limited, CFP Pipelines and Flowlines Company Limited, Southborne Oil and Gas Limited, Up Energies Limited and Nuway Oaklane Energy Limited.
The movement questioned how these companies demonstrated the technical expertise, financial capacity and operational preparedness required to participate successfully in an upstream petroleum licensing exercise.
It called on the EFCC and ICPC to establish whether the companies satisfied the applicable requirements and whether the selection process was conducted fairly.
The group acknowledged that recent incorporation alone does not establish wrongdoing or disqualify a company from participating in an oil licensing round. It nevertheless argued that the circumstances surrounding the awards deserve independent examination.
Five Companies With Unresolved Corporate Record Discrepancies
The investigation also reported that five companies listed among the successful bidders could not be independently verified under their exact published names through the corporate search platforms examined.
They are Attabanson Global Company Limited, Concept-Reel Petroleum Services Limited, Blackrock Holdings Limited, Nikstallis and Eyre Energy Limited.
According to the investigation, the five companies were collectively listed as winners of eight oil blocks.
The publication identified similarly named corporate entities in some cases but did not establish that they were the same entities as those listed by NUPRC.
The Nigeria Progressive Movement called on the anti-graft agencies to examine the official registration documents, company identification numbers, beneficial ownership declarations and bid-evaluation records associated with the affected companies.
It said the commission should publicly clarify how the legal identities of the successful bidders were verified before the awards were announced.
Allegations of Favouritism Require Investigation
The movement further urged the EFCC and ICPC to examine whether any evidence supports allegations or suspicions of favouritism, improper relationships or financial inducements in connection with the licensing exercise.
It called for a review of relevant financial transactions where evidence justifies such scrutiny and urged investigators to establish whether any official or private individual improperly influenced the process.
The group emphasised that allegations of money changing hands must be investigated on the basis of credible evidence and should not be treated as established facts without proof.
It also called for the disclosure of beneficial ownership information in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Movement Demands Eyesan’s Removal
The Nigeria Progressive Movement said it was demanding Eyesan’s removal pending an independent investigation into the licensing process.
It noted that the licensing exercise was conducted during the tenure of former NUPRC chief executive Gbenga Komolafe, while the final awards were announced under Eyesan’s leadership on July 21, 2026.
The group therefore called for investigators to examine the respective responsibilities of officials involved in the evaluation, approval and announcement of the successful bidders.
It urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant authorities to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through a transparent process.
The movement said its demand was intended to protect public confidence in the regulation of Nigeria’s petroleum industry and ensure that the allocation of national resources complies with established standards.
Abuja Protest Looms
The group warned that if the EFCC and ICPC fail to take meaningful investigative steps within 14 days of its formal demand, it will proceed with plans to mobilise supporters for a peaceful protest in Abuja.
According to the movement, the proposed demonstration would demand an investigation into the oil block awards, accountability from the relevant authorities and Eyesan’s removal pending the outcome of the probe.
The group said it would communicate further details of the planned protest, including the date, meeting point and route, through its official channels.
It called on Nigerians, civil society organisations and transparency advocates to pay attention to the issues raised by the investigation.
The movement also urged the anti-corruption agencies to acknowledge its petition and communicate the steps taken in response.
Call for Transparency
The Nigeria Progressive Movement maintained that the reported corporate discrepancies and recent incorporation dates do not, on their own, prove that the awards were unlawful or that Eyesan personally committed wrongdoing.
However, it argued that the questions surrounding the licensing process warrant independent verification and a clear response from NUPRC.
The group said it would continue to pursue its demand for accountability through lawful and peaceful means.
“Nigeria’s petroleum resources belong to the Nigerian people. The EFCC and ICPC must examine these allegations and establish the facts. If the authorities fail to take meaningful steps within 14 days of our formal demand, we will mobilise for a peaceful protest in Abuja to demand transparency, accountability and Eyesan’s removal pending an independent investigation,” the movement stated.
The Nigeria Progressive Movement reiterated that its demand is for a credible investigation capable of establishing whether any laws or licensing requirements were breached and ensuring that appropriate action is taken where wrongdoing is proven.
SIGNED:
Mr. James Collins
President
Nigeria Progressive Movement
Mr. Benjamin Jacob
Secretary
Nigeria Progressive Movement
Issued in Abuja, Nigeria.
ENDS
