NNPCL Under Fire: Massive Protest Erupts Over Mele Kyari’s Leadership and Transparency Issues

Protesters Demand Probe of Mele Kyari’s NNPCL Leadership, Submit Petition to Justice Ministry

A group of demonstrators under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption (CCAC) stormed the Federal Ministry of Justice headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, urging a comprehensive investigation into the tenure of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

Led by their convener, Kabir Matazu, the protesters expressed deep concern over the lack of action following Kyari’s removal, alongside the entire NNPCL board, by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025. Despite widespread public support for the decision, the group lamented that no formal probe had been initiated into allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

“It’s on record that Nigerians applauded the removal of NNPCL’s former leadership, especially those of us who have consistently demanded transparency and accountability in public institutions,” Matazu said.

The group called for an audit of NNPCL’s financial dealings over the past five years, particularly focusing on the rehabilitation and restreaming of government-owned refineries. Matazu cited major concerns over billions of dollars allegedly spent on refinery repairs with little to show in terms of results.

He also highlighted an alleged $2 billion debt NNPCL owes Matrix Energy — a company reportedly receiving crude oil allocations in lieu of cash payments.

“The figures simply don’t add up,” Matazu stated. “NNPCL claims to have spent billions on repairs, yet now it owes Matrix Energy a staggering $2 billion, settled through crude oil allocations. We need to understand how this happened and who authorized it.”

The CCAC questioned the terms of the deal, the parties involved, and the lack of public disclosure, stressing that such opacity undermines national trust in the management of the oil sector.

In a petition submitted to the Attorney General’s office, the group demanded a judicial review of all contracts and agreements entered into under Kyari’s leadership. They further called for the creation of a commission of inquiry to investigate the handling of refinery contracts during his tenure.

The protesters argued that such an investigation is essential not only for holding past officials accountable but also for safeguarding the integrity of NNPCL under its current leadership.

“In these economically challenging times, it is crucial that the Federal Government takes swift action to restore public confidence and ensure that the mismanagement of our national resources is not repeated,” Matazu concluded.