Paul Alaje, Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for inconsistencies in its communication regarding the acquisition of OVH Energy. He expressed these concerns during an interview on News Central’s Breakfast Central.
Alaje pointed out that the information in the public domain suggests that NNPCL acquired OVH Energy. However, the details surrounding this transaction remain unclear. “The public was led to believe that NNPCL acquired OVH, but the exact circumstances are murky. It’s clear that OVH is now managing NNPCL’s retail arm, which raises questions about why NNPCL, given its capacities, isn’t handling more of this directly,” he noted.
Alaje explained the difference between a merger and an acquisition, stating, “A merger occurs when two organisations combine because each has unique competencies. However, when one company buys all the shares of another, that’s an acquisition. If NNPC claims it was a merger, it implies that OVH retained some shares in NNPC.”
He also highlighted the need for clarity, saying, “Beyond what is being reported, there’s a need to examine the financial aspects of the NNPCL and OVH deal. Without accurate information, we’re left in the dark.”
Alaje further criticised NNPCL’s conflicting statements, noting, “The initial publication described the transaction as an acquisition, while the latest one mentions a merger. These are two different concepts. Until we know for sure what really transpired, there are deeper concerns that could emerge.”
Here is the press release signed on August 22 by NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye:
OVH Acquisition: The Facts, by NNPC Ltd
The attention of NNPC Ltd. has been drawn to a press release signed by Mr. Paul Ibe, a Media Adviser to the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In the statement, the former Vice President was quoted to have lamented “the criminal hijack of the NNPC by corporate cabals around the current President”.
He was also quoted to have listed the retention of Mr. Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd as a compensation for the alleged acquisition of NNPC Retail Ltd. by OVH in which he claimed Mr. Wale Tinubu held 49% stake.
He further alleged that the NNPC Retail Ltd—OVH acquisition deal was part of a grand scheme by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to integrate his personal business interests into Nigeria’s public enterprises at the federal level.
NNPC Ltd. wishes to set the records straight with the following facts:
- We are a commercially-focused and profit-driven company managed by professionals who are committed to adding value to the nation.
- Investment decisions by NNPC Ltd. Management are strictly determined on the basis of commercial viability and national interest.
- At the time NNPC Ltd. acquired OVH in 2022, Oando (in which Mr. Wale Tinubu has equity interest), had fully divested its equity in OVH to the other partners – Vitol and Helios. Oando actually began its divestment in 2016, with Vitol and Helios coming in as equity partners, leading to the change of name from Oando to OVH. In 2019, Oando fully divested its equity interest in OVH resulting in Vitol and Helios holding 50% equity interests, respectively.
4.Upon acquisition of OVH by NNPC Ltd, both NNPC Retail Ltd. and OVH effectively became subsidiaries of NNPC Ltd. However, based on professional advice and sound commercial considerations, NNPC Ltd. opted to merge NNPC Retail Limited into OVH, and thereafter retain NNPC Retail Limited as the company name post-merger.
- The first step of merging NNPC Retail Ltd. into OVH has been completed and the post-merger renaming as NNPC Retail Ltd. is ongoing.
- Contrary to the false alarm raised, neither Wale Tinubu nor the President has any interest in the OVH acquisition.
- As a businessman, the former Vice President should know that effectiveness in business leadership is best measured by balance sheets and bottom lines rather than pedestrian considerations.
- The management of NNPC Ltd., under the leadership of Mr. Mele Kyari, has done very well in growing the company’s fortunes as shown in the 2023 Audited Financial Statement (AFS), where it reported N3.3 trillion as profit after tax.
- NNPC Ltd. as a commercial entity is devoid of political interest and shall continue to conduct its business full of commitment to national interest and value creation for the benefit of all stakeholders. NNPC Ltd. shall resist any attempt to draw its Board and Management into partisan politics.