The African Energy Council (AEC) has raised concerns that ongoing media trials, excessive probes, and investigations are hindering the growth and development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In a statement, the Council emphasized that the recent spate of allegations and investigations involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) underscores the need for Nigeria to reassess its priorities in the energy sector.

Last week, reports emerged of protests demanding the probe and prosecution of NNPCL’s former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mallam Mele Kyari. However, the group behind the protest later withdrew its allegations and called off the demands for an investigation.

The AEC noted that Nigeria has faced several high-profile probes in its petroleum sector over the past two decades. Despite the attention these investigations have drawn, the Council argued that they have done little to improve sector performance, governance, or investor confidence.

Rather than pursuing more probes, the Council called for a strategic focus on boosting oil production to meet budget parameters.

The statement read: “Today, Nigeria’s production levels remain fragile, fluctuating between 1.4 and 1.6 million barrels per day—well below both its 2 million bpd budget benchmark and OPEC quota.”

The Council highlighted that despite rehabilitation attempts costing substantial sums, the country’s four state-owned refineries have continued to underperform.

It stressed that the real challenge is not just about accountability but also about institutional delivery, especially in the wake of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which is still in its early stages of implementation. The Council stated that the success of the PIA is contingent on “stable leadership, clear policy direction, and results-driven reform.”

The AEC urged the government to redirect its focus towards tangible outcomes that would benefit Nigerians, including:

Increasing oil production beyond 2 million barrels per day to enhance fiscal stability and foreign exchange earnings.

Completing refinery rehabilitations to reduce import dependency and restore value in the downstream sector.

Rebuilding investor confidence through regulatory consistency and institutional continuity.

Enhancing transparency and governance without stifling operational momentum.

The Council concluded its statement by urging caution, stating that “A sustainable future for Nigeria’s energy sector will not be built in courtrooms—it will be built in control rooms, boardrooms, and drilling fields.”