Recognising Excellence: The Leadership of Mele Kyari in NNPC and the Oil Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to reappoint Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is a testament to Kyari’s exceptional performance and leadership within the oil and gas industry. Kyari’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and performance excellence has played a significant role in the success of NNPC and the energy sector in Nigeria as a whole.

Mele Kyari’s journey at NNPC has been remarkable since he was appointed as the 19th Group Managing Director in 2019, and subsequently transitioned to the position of Group CEO of NNPCL earlier this year following the successful incorporation of the organization as a limited liability company in compliance with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Kyari has been an integral part of NNPC since 1991, holding various roles within the corporation.

One of Kyari’s notable achievements was breaking the jinx surrounding the Train 7 Project of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, which had been delayed for over a decade. This project, which aimed to increase production capacity and form part of a significant investment, had a transformative impact on the nation’s oil and gas sector. Furthermore, Kyari’s leadership has led to significant strides in the areas of infrastructure development, including the construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project and the rehabilitation of national refineries.

Additionally, Mele Kyari has worked tirelessly to address challenges within the oil and gas industry such as oil production decline, disputes around Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), and the restoration of the country’s currency. His commitment to transparency and accountability within NNPC is also evident in the company’s recent achievements, such as becoming an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) supporting company and declaring its first profit in 44 years.

As a result of Kyari’s exceptional leadership and accomplishments, President Tinubu’s decision to reappoint him as the GCEO of NNPC is a fitting recognition of his dedication and contribution to the industry. Moving forward, it is clear that Mele Kyari will continue to lead NNPC with a focus on achieving the targets set for oil and gas production growth and higher revenues, through robust engagement with international oil companies and independent firms to drive further investments in crucial upstream projects.

In conclusion, Mele Kyari’s reappointment by President Tinubu is a testament to his exemplary performance in NNPC and the oil sector. His continued leadership will undoubtedly bring about further advancements and improvements within the industry, ultimately benefiting the nation as a whole.