The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has alerted the public to the activities of fraudsters impersonating officials of the Commission and offering fake contract deals in a bid to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement signed by Eniola Akinkuotu, Head of Corporate Communication and Media and issued today by the Commission on, the regulator warned that certain unscrupulous individuals have been circulating false procurement offers, claiming to act on behalf of the NUPRC.
The agency said the perpetrators deploy tactics such as name-dropping and spreading misinformation on social media to lend credibility to their fraudulent schemes.
The Commission categorically distanced itself from such activities, stressing that it does not authorise third parties to solicit payments or facilitate contract awards on its behalf.
“To set the record straight, all contract processes at the NUPRC are conducted transparently and strictly in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and other extant regulations,” the statement read.
The regulator further cautioned members of the public against engaging with individuals who promise to secure contracts through unofficial channels, warning that anyone who transacts with such intermediaries in pursuit of undue advantage does so at their own risk.
The NUPRC emphasised that its procurement procedures are open, competitive, and publicly advertised in accordance with established laws and guidelines.
Interested bidders and stakeholders were advised to verify all procurement information directly through the Commission’s official website, www.nuprc.gov.ng, or through tender notices published in national newspapers.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of contract scams targeting government agencies, as fraudsters increasingly exploit digital platforms to deceive members of the public.
