Kyari and detractors: Separating lies from facts

By Adewale Olatunji

Since his appointment as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari has embarked on an ambitious transformation of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. However, despite his impressive strides in repositioning the NNPCL and ensuring energy sustainability, Kyari has been the subject of relentless attacks by naysayers whose vested interests have been threatened. These detractors, threatened by his towering achievements, have resorted to spreading lies, falsehoods, and misrepresentations to tarnish his reputation and derail the progress of the NNPCL.

One of the latest antics of these traducers is the baseless claim that substandard fuel has infiltrated Nigeria’s market, supposedly as a result of lapses in the NNPCL’s importation and distribution mechanisms. This falsehood, propagated by mischief-makers, is not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of Kyari and the regulatory agencies responsible for maintaining quality control. Speaking at the 60th Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) Conference in Abuja, Kyari emphatically dismissed these allegations, reiterating that all fuel imported into the country meets the necessary regulatory standards.

Critics have conveniently ignored the fact that the regulatory framework for fuel importation in Nigeria is stringent. The Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) rigorously scrutinize all petroleum products before they enter the market. If there had been any substandard fuel, these agencies would have flagged it, yet no such official complaints have been lodged. Instead, these detractors rely on sensationalism and unverified claims to mislead the public and create unnecessary panic.

Adding to their deception, some critics falsely claimed that the NNPCL imported 200 million liters of low-quality fuel in February. However, Kyari himself debunked this falsehood, stating categorically that NNPCL did not even bring in any products within the period the report was published. This exposes the lies of those who wish to create an artificial crisis to discredit the administration of the GCEO.

Despite the desperate antics of his traducers, the facts speak for themselves. Since assuming office, Mele Kyari has introduced transformative policies and initiatives that have revitalized Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Some of his key achievements include:

Kyari spearheaded the transition of the NNPC into NNPC Limited, making it a fully commercial entity governed by the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This landmark shift has made NNPC more transparent, competitive, and accountable, positioning it for global competitiveness.

One of Kyari’s most significant achievements is the remarkable reduction in gas flaring. Under his leadership, NNPCL, in collaboration with First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P), successfully reduced gas flaring by 96% in the Anyala (OML 83) and Madu (OML 85) fields. This milestone aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Despite challenges such as oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Kyari has implemented policies that have increased Nigeria’s crude oil production. Through strategic partnerships and enhanced surveillance mechanisms, crude oil output has improved, allowing Nigeria to meet its OPEC production quotas more consistently.

A major challenge for Nigeria has been its dependence on fuel imports due to the non-functionality of its refineries. Under Kyari’s leadership, the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have resumed operations, marking a crucial step towards self-sufficiency in petroleum product refining. This development is expected to drive down fuel costs, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.

The NNPCL chief has been at the forefront of implementing Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” initiative, which aims to harness the country’s vast natural gas reserves for domestic consumption and export. His commitment to gas infrastructure development has led to increased investments in gas processing plants, pipelines, and distribution networks.

Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long been major threats to Nigeria’s economy. Kyari has introduced cutting-edge surveillance technologies and collaborated with security agencies to tackle this menace. His efforts have led to a significant reduction in oil theft, ensuring that the country benefits fully from its natural resources.

Through transparent operations and policy reforms, Kyari has restored investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. His leadership has attracted foreign direct investments, leading to increased exploration and production activities in the industry.

Why are Kyari’s detractors so determined to undermine his work? The answer is simple: he has disrupted entrenched interests that thrived on corruption, inefficiency, and opaque business practices. By making the NNPCL a transparent and accountable organization, Kyari has cut off illicit revenue streams that benefited a select few. His fight against oil theft, subsidy fraud, and shady deals has rattled those who once profited from the chaos in the industry.

Furthermore, as the NNPC transitions into a globally competitive entity, some rival interests—both local and foreign—see Kyari’s success as a threat to their monopoly and control over Nigeria’s energy sector. These entities, rather than appreciating the ongoing reforms, have resorted to sponsoring misinformation campaigns to discredit him.

Regardless of the orchestrated attacks against him, Kyari remains undeterred in his mission to build a sustainable and self-reliant energy sector for Nigeria. However, he cannot achieve this alone. Nigerians must recognize the deliberate attempts to mislead the public and refuse to be swayed by falsehoods peddled by those who wish to see the country’s progress derailed.

Instead of allowing misinformation to thrive, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, policymakers, and the general public must rally behind Kyari and his vision. The ongoing reforms under his leadership will not only guarantee energy security but will also stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports.

Mele Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL has been nothing short of transformative. Through bold reforms, transparency, and unwavering commitment, he has repositioned Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for long-term sustainability. Unfortunately, those whose vested interests are threatened by his success have resorted to lies and deception in a desperate attempt to discredit him.

However, the facts remain undeniable. Under Kyari’s watch, Nigeria’s refineries are coming back to life, crude oil production has increased, gas flaring has been drastically reduced, and energy security has been prioritized. Nigerians must not be deceived by the antics of his detractors. Instead, they should support and celebrate a leader who is genuinely working to secure the country’s energy future and economic prosperity. As Kyari continues to implement policies that will benefit generations to come, history will remember him as a reformer who stood firm against corruption and inefficiency, delivering results where many had failed.

• Olatunji writes from Lagos State