Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded a detailed explanation of the ₦11.2 trillion recorded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) as receivables from the Federation in its 2025 financial accounts.

Atiku also questioned the government over expenditure on the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure and called for greater transparency regarding contracts and payments connected to pipeline security.

The former vice president made the demands in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Atiku wants details of the ₦11.2 trillion

Atiku said Nigerians should be given a clear breakdown of the ₦11.2 trillion figure and should be able to determine how much was associated with protecting oil and gas infrastructure.

He asked for details of payments made under such arrangements, the beneficiaries of the payments and the services delivered.

However, the ₦11.2 trillion figure should not be interpreted as money that was simply paid to pipeline-security contractors.

According to NNPC’s accounts, the amount was recorded as “other receivables from the Federation”, relating to expenses and advances involving the Federation. NNPC’s 2024 accounts had recorded about ₦17.5 trillion across different categories of receivables.

Atiku argued that the financial statements did not provide enough detail for Nigerians to determine exactly how much had been spent specifically on pipeline surveillance.

Questions over contractors

Atiku also raised questions about companies involved in protecting Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.

He specifically referred to the pipeline-security contract held by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and called for greater disclosure concerning government payments and contractual arrangements.

He also questioned the federal government’s handling of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, asking for the publication of documents relating to the procurement process, including companies invited to bid, competing bids and evaluation documents.

Campaign funding questions

The ADC presidential candidate further called on the Presidency to disclose whether companies or individuals holding major government contracts had provided financial or material support to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Atiku raised questions about possible links between government contractors and campaign activities.

However, the statement did not provide evidence establishing that the companies or individuals he referenced had financed Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

The allegations therefore remain political claims and demands for disclosure rather than established findings.

Why the issue matters

The controversy comes as political activity intensifies ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The size of the NNPC receivables has attracted attention because of the importance of the oil sector to government revenue and the continuing security challenges affecting oil-producing areas.

Atiku said Nigerians deserve greater transparency about how public funds and resources connected to oil infrastructure are managed.

The federal government and NNPC have yet to publicly accept Atiku’s allegations as presented, and further explanations or disclosures could provide more context about the figures and the contracts involved.

The development is likely to remain part of the growing political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as opposition parties increasingly scrutinise the government’s economic policies, contracts and public spending.

Utelnova will continue to follow developments surrounding the NNPC accounts, government spending and the 2027 political campaign.