A group called the Nineteen-Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity, Empowerment, and Development Initiative (NSNCM) has labeled those demanding the removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, as enemies of progress.
The group claims that the calls for his removal are baseless, biased, and backward. They argue that Kyari has taken proactive steps to prevent further exploitation of Nigeria’s oil sector, which is why he is being targeted.
In a statement, National Chairman Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu said it would be a grave mistake to try to remove Mele Kyari at this critical time, as he is transforming NNPCL. Removing him now would imply that the nation is not serious about economic transformation and the revitalization of NNPC Ltd and Nigeria.
Aliyu suggested that the calls for Kyari’s removal are orchestrated by leaders of various ethnic groups funded by those opposed to Nigeria’s economic progress. These individuals are suspected of collaborating with oil thieves.
The group stressed that they do not believe there is an anti-north agenda at play. They have faith in President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, noting the North’s strong support for him and their hopes for his re-election in 2027, given his focus on economic, security, and infrastructural development.
Kyari’s efforts in transforming the oil sector through robust revenue generation and technological advancements have reportedly disturbed those who oppose Nigeria’s economic growth. Kyari was appointed by President Buhari in July 2019 and has since implemented numerous reforms to improve the efficiency and transparency of the corporation.
One of Kyari’s key initiatives is the TAPE agenda, which aims to promote Transparency, Accountability, Performance, and Excellence. This initiative seeks to eliminate corruption within NNPC, turning it into a reputable oil giant.
Kyari has set ambitious goals, including increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and raising reserves to 40 billion barrels by 2023. His leadership has led to significant achievements, such as resolving disputes in Rivers State, which restored 35,000 barrels of daily oil production.
Under Kyari, NNPC reached the Final Investment Decision on Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited in November 2019, a project expected to generate over $20 billion in revenue and create over 50,000 jobs. He also initiated the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project with funding from a Chinese bank.
Kyari has driven the digitization of NNPC’s operations, reducing operational risks. For example, he introduced software that allows marketers to view inventories across 22 depots in real time, enhancing decision-making and efficiency.
In terms of recruitment, Kyari conducted a transparent and fair process, hiring 1,050 candidates from 600,000 applicants, marking NNPC’s first publicly advertised recruitment since 2012.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyari mobilized stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to raise N21 billion for the Petroleum Industry Intervention Fund, supporting medical efforts across Nigeria.
The creation of the National Assembly has empowered NNPC Limited to ensure Nigeria’s energy security, which is crucial during the year-end festivities and beyond. The NNPC Limited has made robust plans to prevent any shortages in petroleum product supplies.
The Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 transformed NNPC into a commercially-oriented National Oil Company. This legislative change helped NNPC shift from a loss-making entity to a profitable organization, declaring a net profit of N674 billion in 2021.
Kyari’s leadership has been instrumental in this turnaround, with the company aiming for a profit increase of N2 trillion in its 2022 Audited Financial Statements.
NNPC Limited’s acquisition of OVH Energy in 2022 and its existing assets have positioned it as a major player in the African energy market, boosting the profitability of its subsidiary, NNPC Retail, to N18.4 billion in the first quarter of this year.
To address challenges like crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, NNPC has adopted advanced surveillance methods similar to those used by Saudi Aramco. The Central Coordination, Data Integration, and Activation Control Room enable real-time monitoring of the Niger Delta’s pipeline networks, enhancing security and increasing crude oil production. This system has already recovered over 22 million liters of stolen crude through improved surveillance and intelligence.
Therefore, the group urges President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s government to arrest those undermining national economic development and attempting to create discord between the North, other ethnic groups, and the government.
