Once more, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been the focus of a purposeful disinformation effort designed to damage the company’s reputation and undermine the impressive progress it has recently made.
Critics have resorted to spreading untrue allegations regarding the quality of fuel supplied by NNPC Ltd. after failing to undermine the achievements of the Mele Kyari-led management, particularly the successful restreaming of the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company on December 30, 2024, and the revitalization of the 60,000-barrel-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery, which had been out of commission for more than 30 years.
A recent viral video purportedly showed a content creator purchasing a litre of Dangote fuel at N925 at the MRS filling station in Lagos and another gallon of PMS at N945 from an NNPC station. In the video, two new generators were shown running the fuel. He claimed that the Dangote gasoline lasted for 33 minutes, but the NNPCL fuel generator quit after 17 minutes.
Naturally, the contentious film was produced to harm NNPC Ltd’s reputation after the company achieved significant milestones under Kyari. The video, which was produced in bad faith, falsely accused NNPC Ltd. of supplying inferior fuel—a charge that is too serious to ignore.
Olufemi Soneye, the NNPC Ltd.’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, denied the allegations to BrandSpur Nigeria news, saying: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd strongly refutes the false and misleading allegations made in a viral video circulating online, which claims that NNPC fuel does not last. This assertion is baseless and entirely unfounded, originating from unverified and amateur research that lacks credibility, accuracy, and professional oversight.”
The NNPC Ltd. reiterated that its fuel was expertly blended with one of the best compositions, guaranteeing consumers the best possible efficiency, longevity, and environmental sustainability.
Continuing, NNPC had this to say: “Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that a significant percentage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold at NNPC retail stations in Lagos—where this deceptive video was created—is sourced from the Dangote Refinery, a strategic partner in promoting local production and energy security. Dangote Refinery adheres to strict industry standards, guaranteeing the quality of petroleum products supplied to our consumers.”
Soneye claimed that the deceptive film was just another last-ditch effort by economic saboteurs to mislead the public and damage the name of NNPC Ltd. In addition to warning of severe legal repercussions for anyone who spreads false information and engages in campaigns of calumny against the NNPC, the firm said that it will no longer accept malicious and intentional disinformation intended to compromise its operations and deceive Nigerians.
Soneye went on to reveal: “Henceforth, NNPC Ltd will take firm legal action against individuals or groups who intentionally spread falsehoods about our brand and operations. Those engaged in such malicious activities will be held fully accountable under the law.”
Following extensive testing, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) declared that the fuel provided by NNPC Ltd. satisfies the highest industry standards and denounces the amateurish video.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry remarked: “We urge content creators not to joke with sensitive matters that can collapse the economy.”
The widely shared video is improper, disrespectful, immoral, and devoid of scientific evidence. Instead of using social media to disparage one brand against another, the content writer ought to have chosen laboratory analysis. Both brands were at risk from poor comparative and contentious advertising. After NNPC Ltd., under Kyari’s capable direction, reopened the Old Port Harcourt Refinery on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, to the apparent dismay of those opposed to the restoration of the nation’s four refineries, a persistent campaign to demarket the corporation began.
The NNPCL, refinery employees, experts, representatives from the Presidency, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers all vehemently rejected attempts by doubters to discredit the accomplishments of the Port Harcourt refinery.
Translators, however, will do whatever it takes to further their evil goals. Make it clear that those who are spreading false information in an attempt to harm NNPC’s reputation are losing the battle. A successful business that continuously innovates cannot be demarketed. Kyari and his staff are making progress in turning what was once thought to be a corruption hotspot into an organization run by strong management, openness, and corporate governance. The NNPC Ltd. is unwavering in its resolve to uphold international industry standards while guaranteeing gasoline availability, affordability, and quality for all Nigerians.
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Naturally, the $23 billion Dangote Refinery has altered the downstream environment in Nigeria, causing rivalry and a recent price war. This is a positive development, and it is anticipated that supply and demand will continue to drive the market.
However, maintaining a healthy and virile competition is crucial. There’s no need to disparage each other. Everyone should have equal access to the downstream market.
Remember how Kyari helped the Dangote Refinery by obtaining a $1 billion loan secured by NNPC’s crude reserves? The calculated action guaranteed the Dangote Refinery’s; successful completion in addition to addressing liquidity issues. NNPC Ltd. claims that this demonstrates Kyari’s dedication to developing public-private partnerships that benefit the country in the long run.
According to reports available to BrandSpur Nigeria news today, the NNPCL CEO viewed the Dangote Refinery investment as a calculated step to improve domestic fuel supplies.
NNPC spokesperson Soneye had stated during a recent Abuja Energy Relations Stakeholder Engagement. He said: “A strategic decision to secure a $1 billion loan backed by NNPC’s crude was instrumental in supporting the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery during liquidity challenges, paving the way for the establishment of Nigeria’s first private refinery. This initiative underscores NNPC’s dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive national development.”
To sabotage NNPC Ltd.’s advancement, the Kyari-must-go campaigners have also joined the smear campaign against the firm by funding media outlets and opinion pieces. But no amount of disparaging speech can overshadow the progress NNPC Ltd. has made under Kyari’s direction. In addition to the refineries, NNPC Ltd. under Kyari reported a profit of N3.297 trillion for the 2023 fiscal year, the largest in the company’s 46-year history and a rise of more than N700 billion (28%) over the N2.548 trillion profit for 2022. Naturally, Kyari and his team’s strict money management techniques are to blame for this.
For the first time, NNPC reported a profit from its operations in 2021. It further decreased the deficit to N1.7 billion in 2019 from a losing position of N803 billion in 2018. Nonetheless, it reported its “first-ever” profit of N287 billion in 2020, followed by a profit of N674.1 billion in 2021 and N2.548 in 2022, marking an unparalleled accomplishment in its financial performance. By reporting profit year after year, Kyari has defied the norm and altered the perception of a corporation where profitability was viewed as anathema.
Given NNPC Ltd.’s outstanding success, attempts to undermine the corporation are pointless. Malicious campaigns to damage the company’s reputation are unacceptable, even while constructive criticism is encouraged. NNPC Ltd. should keep up the fight against these kinds of attacks and maintain its dedication to serving the country.
