The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has concluded its three-day retreat in Owerri with a strong call for the dismissal and arrest of the World Bank official responsible for the April 7, 2026 Nigeria Development Update, which recommended the reinstatement of petroleum import licences.

The Committee described the recommendation as a reckless move capable of undermining Nigeria’s indigenous refining capacity.

In a formal resolution, the Committee condemned the World Bank report, which claimed that imported petroleum products are 12 percent cheaper than those from the Dangote Refinery. It rejected the position as contrary to Nigeria’s national economic interest and an unacceptable interference in the country’s sovereign petroleum policy.

Declaring the unnamed World Bank official persona non grata, the Committee gave the Bank 30 days to issue a public retraction and written apology.

It further demanded that the staff member responsible for the report be relieved of their duties and subjected to investigation.

Security agencies, including the DSS, EFCC, and NIA, were directed to probe the activities of foreign petroleum trading interests allegedly working against Nigeria’s domestic refining sector, and to take necessary action against any individuals found culpable, including officials linked to the report.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also advised to formally register Nigeria’s diplomatic protest.

Earlier, while declaring the retreat open, the Committee Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote, describing his refinery as “a national economic treasure that holds the key to Nigeria’s future energy security.”

He, however, expressed concern over the persistent failure to ensure a steady supply of crude oil to local refineries, describing it not as a market issue but a governance failure that requires legislative action.

The Committee also praised the Joint Committee of the National Assembly for its principled stance in support of the pipeline surveillance contract, noting that the alignment of both chambers sends a strong signal to stakeholders.

The retreat further recorded significant progress on proposed amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), with six legislative priorities already at advanced drafting stages, including a new Crude Pricing Oversight and Revenue Protection Framework.

In his closing remarks, Ugochinyere declared:

“Owerri has spoken. We will follow up. We will hold accountable. We will not relent.”