The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’s (NEITI) planned investigation of the 2021–2023 audit reports on the oil and gas sector was hampered on Monday when important agencies avoided a Senate public hearing.
Senator Ibrahim Dankwabo (PDP, Gombe North) chaired the Senate Public Accounts Committee, and the management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and NEITI did not show up.
Based on NEITI’s audit reports, the committee had planned a three-week public hearing.
The committee, irritated by their absence, ordered the CBN, NDDC, and NUPRC management to appear before it on Thursday, August 6, 2026, without fail.
According to Senator Dankwabo, if any of the impacted agencies fail to honour the rescheduled appearance, they will face severe consequences as stipulated in the Senate Standing Orders and the 1999 Constitution.
Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West), a committee member, suggested that the heads of the absentee agencies be subject to constitutional restrictions.
“I depend on pertinent sections of our Standing Rules and Sections 47 and 60 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
These provisions constitute the source of this committee’s authority. Any agency’s refusal to show up and respond to legitimate audit questions is a distraction to the National Assembly’s institution, according to Senator Hussaini.
“Nigerians are being taken for granted because this committee is being taken for granted.” There is a threat to the Senate’s institutional integrity. In accordance with our regulations, drastic steps must be implemented,” he continued.
Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC, Imo North), another member, advocated for direct sanctions against the leaders of the absent agencies.
“Mr. Chairman, this shows how dedicated this nation’s government agencies are. There was no written letter. There was no justification given. There was no representation dispatched.
He declared, “I don’t think they should be given another chance to appear.”
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and other organisations are expected to attend the public hearing, according to the committee, despite the boycott.