President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been linked to an alleged N54 billion oil and gas royalty controversy involving the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), according to a report by Peoples Gazette.
The report alleged that shortly after President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, Gbajabiamila sought access to funds generated by several revenue-generating agencies of the Federal Government, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (now Nigeria Revenue Service) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
According to the report, the alleged request formed part of broader concerns surrounding the management and control of government revenues from key agencies, including funds connected to the country’s oil and gas sector.
The publication further claimed that the controversy involved royalty payments overseen by the NUPRC, the agency responsible for regulating Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry and managing key aspects of exploration, production, and revenue administration in the sector.
The allegations have drawn attention because of the significance of oil royalties to Nigeria’s public finances and the government’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the petroleum industry.
Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives who became Chief of Staff to President Tinubu in 2023, has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing in connection with the claims.
The allegations remained disputed and have not been established by any court.
The development added to ongoing public discussions around revenue management, institutional independence, and accountability within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Relevant stakeholders are expected to provide further clarification as questions continue over the handling of public funds and the role of government officials in revenue-related matters.
