Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber has summoned the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over unresolved audit observations amounting to N210 trillion, setting April 29 as the deadline for an appearance before its Public Accounts Committee.

The directive requires the current Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, to attend the session alongside his predecessor, Mele Kyari. Former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Dr Bala Wunti, and the company’s external auditors are also expected to be present.

This decision followed deliberations by the committee after lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations earlier submitted by the oil firm regarding issues raised in audit reports covering 2017 to 2023.

Chairman of the committee, Aliyu Wadada, said the responses offered so far lacked sufficient detail, stressing that the figures involved demand clear, itemised clarification for the public.

According to him, about N103 trillion was broadly described by the company as liabilities without a breakdown of components such as legal, audit, and retention costs. He added that another N107 trillion, reportedly linked to joint venture cash calls and funds tied to unnamed defunct banks, also requires detailed disclosure.

Wadada noted that Nigerians deserve precise information on how such sums were recorded and managed, insisting that the company must return with comprehensive documentation.

During the meeting, committee member Abdul Ningi urged the legislature to assert its authority to compel compliance, citing repeated instances where invited officials failed to appear before lawmakers.

The committee resolved to grant the company an additional two weeks to prepare and appear without fail, warning that the matter would be treated with utmost seriousness if the directive is ignored.