The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has denied reports claiming it recently imported 200 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.
The company also clarified that it had not imported any volume of the product in 2025. This was stated in a rejoinder issued by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The statement was a response to a report—not published by The PUNCH—which alleged that the national oil firm had recently imported 200 million litres of petrol.
Soneye dismissed the claim as either “lazy and unprofessional journalism” or a “deliberate, sponsored attempt by economic saboteurs to mislead the public.”
He said, “The report alleging that NNPC Limited imported over 200 million litres of PMS in February 2025 is a completely false, baseless, and reckless misrepresentation of facts. It is either the result of lazy and unprofessional journalism or a deliberate, sponsored attempt by economic saboteurs to mislead the public.
“Setting the record straight: NNPC Limited has not imported a single litre of PMS in 2025.”
The state-owned oil firm emphasised that it does not regulate the import operations of private marketers and described ascribing all petrol imports to NNPCL as misleading.
The company further clarified that, while it has not imported PMS this year, there is no legal restriction preventing it from doing so if necessary.
Soneye added, “We do not control the import activities of private marketers, nor do we issue import licences. Attributing all PMS imports to NNPC is not just misleading—it is outright deceptive and irresponsible journalism that ignores basic fact-checking principles.
“While NNPC Limited has not imported PMS in 2025, let it be clear that there is no legal restriction preventing us from doing so if necessary.
“As Nigeria’s foremost energy company, we have a responsibility to ensure energy security. Should any supply shortages arise, NNPC Limited retains the full right and responsibility to step in and import petrol to stabilise the market.”
NNPCL also condemned the spread of “misinformation of this magnitude,” stating that it distorts market realities, misleads key stakeholders, and does a “grave disservice to the public.”
The company further warned that it would take legal action against those responsible for fabricating and spreading false reports about its operations.
“NNPC Limited will not tolerate the spread of false and malicious reports aimed at undermining its reputation. We will take all necessary legal measures to hold accountable those responsible for fabricating and disseminating falsehoods about our operations.
“We strongly urge media organisations to uphold journalistic integrity by verifying facts before publishing misleading narratives. NNPC Limited remains committed to transparency and will not be swayed by attempts to manipulate public perception.”
