Jul 13, 2026

Gbajabiamila Accused of N54 Billion Oil Grab Using Fake Law

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

👁️ loading views...

ABUJA, Nigeria — A bombshell exclusive by Peoples Gazette has thrust President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, back into the spotlight amid fresh allegations of high-level financial maneuvering that allegedly diverted tens of billions of naira from Nigeria’s oil regulator.

According to internal Aso Rock documents reviewed by the publication, Gbajabiamila drafted a memo shortly after Tinubu’s inauguration in 2023 requesting that 4% of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) cost of collection be split: 2.5% for operations and 1.5% (approximately N54 billion) for “upgrading of crude oil and gas metering and transparency systems.”

The memo cited a section of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2023 that investigators say does not authorize such a claim.

Section 24(2)(c) of the PIA, which Gbajabiamila referenced, simply addresses sources of the commission’s fund and makes no provision for the president or his chief of staff to directly appropriate or ring-fence such percentages.

Critics argue the language in the memo was deliberately vague, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability in the handling of national oil revenues.

Pattern of Allegations and Presidency’s Defense

This latest revelation adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Gbajabiamila.

The presidency has defended the action, with presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stating that Gbajabiamila was merely implementing the president’s directives and that no wrongdoing occurred.

However, the defense sidestepped the core issue of the allegedly misrepresented law.

Legal experts note that under the PIA, expenditures from the NUPRC fund require National Assembly appropriation, not direct presidential or chief-of-staff directives.

The cost of collection reportedly surged from N98 billion in 2022 to N145 billion following the unification of exchange rates, making the 1.5% slice a significant windfall.

Gbajabiamila’s history has come under renewed scrutiny, including past U.S. disbarment related to client fund issues and earlier bribery allegations during his tenure as Speaker of the House.

More recently, he has been embroiled in a separate N400 million bribery scandal involving a disputed agency (PFIPC), where he has threatened legal action against his accuser.

Implications for Governance and Public Trust

This story strikes at the heart of public frustration with governance in Nigeria — where vast oil revenues continue to generate headlines of alleged elite capture rather than tangible development for ordinary citizens.

The timing, amid economic hardships and calls for accountability, has fueled angry reactions across social media, with many demanding a full independent investigation.

As a veteran observer of Nigerian politics, one cannot ignore the human cost: every naira allegedly diverted represents lost opportunities for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security in a nation still battling deep poverty despite its resource wealth.

The National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, and civil society now face a critical test. Will this memo lead to concrete action, or will it fade into the familiar cycle of allegations and denials?

For now, the documents raise uncomfortable questions that demand transparent answers from the highest levels of government.

Nigeria deserves better — leaders who prioritize service over self-enrichment and institutions strong enough to check even the most powerful. The eyes of a weary public remain fixed on how this saga unfolds.