A coalition under the auspices of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, COCSOAC, Nigerian Professionals in Diaspora, NPID, and Bloggers, respectively, came together yesterday to vehemently condemn a section of the country calling on President Bola Tinubu to sack the group chief executive officer, GCEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Engr Mele Kyari.
The coalition made its stand known during a press conference held in Abuja, where the leaders, including Kenneth Emea of Bloggers, Oluwatoyin Animashaun of NPID, and Mohammed Abdullahi of COCSOAC, described the accusations levelled against Kyari as unsubstantiated and basically to derail the critical progress he has made in the oil and gas sector.
In an address read during the press conference, the coalition highlighted the landmark achievements by Kyari in the sector.
They said: “We are gathered here today to address the recent attacks and baseless calls for the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). These unsubstantiated accusations are nothing more than attempts to derail the critical progress that has been achieved under his leadership. We stand in firm support of Mele Kyari and urge the President not to yield to these unfounded demands for his sack.
“Since his appointment as GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari has been a transformative force in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, a sector that has long suffered from inefficiencies, corruption, and lack of accountability. Under his watch, there has been a profound shift toward transparency, professionalism, and operational efficiency. His stewardship has saved billions of naira, ensuring that NNPCL can finally act as a reliable and accountable player in the global oil industry while driving national economic growth. Kyari has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to cleaning up the sector, implementing key reforms that have restored investor confidence and positioned Nigeria on the path to energy self-sufficiency.
“One of the landmark achievements under Mele Kyari’s leadership has been the successful transition of NNPC into a limited liability company (NNPCL), operating with greater transparency and subject to industry best practices. This restructuring was crucial for creating a financially viable, market-driven entity that can compete with global oil giants. This historic shift is the result of visionary leadership and dedication to reform—a testament to Kyari’s resolve in transforming NNPCL from a government entity into a commercially viable and profit-driven corporation.
“Moreover, Kyari has been instrumental in reducing the long-standing problem of oil theft, which has cost Nigeria billions of dollars annually. Through strategic partnerships with security agencies, he has championed efforts to curb this menace, enhancing the nation’s revenue base and enabling a fair share of resources for development. Kyari’s efforts are restoring accountability in the oil sector and demonstrating what can be achieved with principled leadership and a commitment to national interests.”
