The Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) has condemned what it described as “baseless attacks” on Mallam Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), warning that such actions were capable of discouraging diaspora Nigerians from returning to serve their country.
At a world press conference in London on Thursday, NPID President, Dr. Olawale Oguntonade, said the freezing of Kyari’s personal bank accounts and ongoing scrutiny amounted to harassment. He argued that this sends a negative message to hardworking Nigerians abroad who may wish to contribute to national development.
“If a man like Mele Kyari, who gave his all to reposition NNPCL, can be harassed, what encouragement remains for diaspora Nigerians?” Oguntonade asked.
The group highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s past commendations of Kyari’s reforms, including his role in attracting global investments, ensuring fuel supply stability, and steering NNPCL into profitability for the first time in over four decades.
NPID praised Kyari’s initiatives such as the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) programme, the AKK Gas Pipeline, and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, describing them as “concrete results that no propaganda can erase.”
Calling on President Tinubu to intervene, Oguntonade urged the government to protect reformers rather than expose them to persecution. “History will not forgive us if we allow enemies of progress to destroy reformers,” he said, insisting that Kyari deserves national honor, not harassment.
While commending the EFCC for its anti-corruption drive, the group criticized its handling of Kyari’s case as misguided, stressing that “public service is not a crime.”
The diaspora body also announced plans to honour Kyari at an event in the United Kingdom in November 2025, with invitations extended to President Tinubu and the UK Prime Minister.
“Today, it is Mele Kyari; tomorrow, it could be another patriot,” Oguntonade warned. “Nigeria must protect her reformers, not persecute them.”
