Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N115 billion in unpaid statutory levies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by defaulting oil companies, following a sweeping investigation triggered by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit Report. The recovery, which covers outstanding three‑per‑cent levies due to the NDDC, was disclosed on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when the EFCC appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which is intensifying its probe of the NEITI findings.
The EFCC's representative, Francis Oka‑Phillips Usani, told the committee, chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, that the commission investigated 43 oil companies identified in the NEITI report. Of these, 24 operating within the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities, while the remaining 19 companies were cleared after investigators established that they had no outstanding obligations. The total liabilities identified during the investigation comprised N76.883 billion and $81.076 million, according to Usani. "At the commencement of investigation, EFCC invited 43 oil companies, out of which 24 operating within the Niger Delta were found to have outstanding liabilities in the sums of N76,883,705,907.17 and $81,076,655.00, while the remaining 19 other oil companies were given clean bill of health," he told the committee.
The EFCC said the pressure it mounted on the defaulting firms yielded results, with some companies paying their outstanding obligations directly to the NDDC. Those direct payments amounted to N6.709 billion and $16.994 million. Of the funds recovered by the commission on behalf of the NDDC, Usani disclosed that N73.373 billion and $67.070 million had already been released to the development commission, while a balance of N3.510 billion and $14.005 million remained in the EFCC's recovery account.
Explaining the scope of the intervention, Usani said the EFCC focused primarily on the unpaid three‑per‑cent statutory levy due to the NDDC, as identified in the NEITI audit report. However, he emphasised that the commission remained vigilant regarding other potential unpaid statutory obligations and taxes owed to the Federal Government. "EFCC focused on one primary pillar identified in the NEITI report, i.e., unpaid 3% statutory levies due to NDDC, but EFCC did not lose sight of the fact that there could be other unpaid statutory obligations and taxes due to the Federal Government," he stated.
The recovery comes as the Senate continues to scrutinise the NEITI 2021–2023 Oil and Gas Sector Audit Report, with the Public Accounts Committee examining the financial obligations of oil companies and the response of relevant government agencies to outstanding liabilities. However, the committee's proceedings also exposed continuing concerns over the appearance of oil companies before the lawmakers. Shortly after the EFCC's presentation, the committee rejected an attempt by TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited to defend queries raised against the company in the audit report through a representative. The committee cited the company's under‑representation and consequently directed the Managing Director of TotalEnergies to appear personally before it at a date to be fixed next week. The committee also issued a final warning to the Managing Directors of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Famfa Oil, and Green Energy International Limited, mandating their physical appearance to respond to the audit queries.
The EFCC's recovery of over N115 billion in unpaid NDDC levies represents a significant victory for the anti‑graft agency and a vindication of the NEITI audit process, which had exposed the failure of oil companies to remit mandatory statutory levies. The development also underscores the growing effectiveness of inter‑agency collaboration in recovering public funds and holding defaulting companies accountable. As the Senate committee continues its investigation, the pressure on oil companies to settle outstanding liabilities and appear before lawmakers is expected to intensify, sending a clear signal that the era of impunity for defaulters is over.
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