By Merciful Omoba
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Bola Tinubu administration over the reported ₦17.5 trillion spent by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on pipeline security and related costs within 12 months, describing it as “one of the most brazen financial scandals” in Nigeria’s history.
In a statement from his media office, Atiku argued that the figure nearly equals the entire ₦18 trillion spent on fuel subsidy over 12 years, a programme he said directly cushioned millions of Nigerians.
He accused the administration of “robbing Nigerians to pay cronies” through opaque security and subsidy-related contracts.
Atiku said it was contradictory for government to demand sacrifices from citizens while funnelling funds that “could transform the power sector, rebuild refineries, or fund universal healthcare” into questionable deals.
He noted that petrol now sells for over ₦1,000 per litre in some areas, despite the government claiming subsidy removal.
Atiku cited NNPCL records showing ₦7.13 trillion spent on “energy-security cost” and ₦8.67 trillion on “under-recovery,” which he described as “new coinages” to obscure continued subsidy payments.
He demanded transparency, asking: “Who are the companies paid under these contracts? And what justifies the rise in energy-security costs from ₦6.25tn in 2024 to ₦8.67tn in 2025?”
