Atiku Raises Fresh Questions Over NNPC’s ₦66 Petrol Discount, Demands Answers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded transparency from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) over the funding and implementation of its recently announced 30-day petrol discount.

According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate questioned how the company would cover the cost of the initiative and whether the decision received the necessary corporate approval.

Atiku raised the concerns through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, who issued a statement on his behalf.

The former Vice President noted that NNPC Limited operates as a commercial entity under the Petroleum Industry Act, insisting that Nigerians deserved an explanation of how the discount was approved and its financial implications.

He questioned the apparent difference between the government’s previous reliance on market forces to determine petrol prices and its latest decision to provide temporary relief through NNPC’s profit margin.

Atiku also expressed concerns about the accessibility of the discount, noting that NNPC Retail operates slightly more than 900 filling stations across a country with an estimated population of 242 million.

He asked how motorists outside the company’s outlets would benefit from the price reduction, particularly those who might have to travel long distances or spend hours waiting in queues.

The ADC candidate further sought clarification on whether NNPC’s board approved the initiative before its announcement, the amount the company expected to forgo and how the financial implications would be recorded in its accounts.

He argued that calling the initiative something other than a subsidy would not remove the underlying cost of providing the discount.

Atiku maintained that Nigerians needed a more transparent and nationwide solution to high petrol prices, recalling his earlier proposal for a transparent production subsidy.

He argued that a temporary price reduction at selected filling stations might not adequately address the fuel affordability challenges facing motorists across the country.

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