Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has urged the National Assembly to reduce the frequency of its invitations to International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), warning that such actions could negatively affect operations in the upstream oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Energy Week in Abuja, Lokpobiri noted that industry players have consistently complained about what they see as constant and unnecessary legislative summons, which disrupt vital exploration and production activities.
“As someone who has served in the Senate, I understand the consequences of these actions,” he said. “Before issuing a summons, there should be proper consultations and a clear understanding of the matter at hand.”
He criticized lawmakers for dragging oil companies into probes over procurement issues from years ago, calling such moves unhelpful and discouraging to potential investors.
His comments reflect growing unease within the executive branch over what is seen as excessive interference by the legislature. In 2024, President Bola Tinubu also called on lawmakers to approach their oversight duties with more restraint, warning that constant summons could slow governance and affect public service delivery.
While the constitution empowers the National Assembly to investigate public institutions and summon officials, critics have argued that some probes are more about politics or pressure tactics than real accountability.
A 2023 investigation by Premium Times exposed a House ad hoc committee accused of collecting bribes from agency heads under the guise of investigating job racketeering.
Since the 10th Assembly began in June 2023, numerous probes have been launched, but few have produced actionable outcomes or sanctions. Many investigations have quietly faded without official reports or follow-up.
Recently, NNPC Ltd raised concerns about being summoned by the Senate over a reported N210 trillion discrepancy, warning it could further erode public trust in government institutions.
Lokpobiri’s appeal reinforces the call for balance emphasizing the need to protect transparency while ensuring that oversight does not become a roadblock to national growth.
