The Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) has condemned what it described as ‘baseless attacks’ and unwarranted restrictions on the personal accounts of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The group warned that such actions risk deterring Nigerian professionals abroad from returning to serve their homeland.
Speaking at a press conference, NPID President Dr. Olawale Oguntonade expressed dismay at the treatment of Kyari.

He noted that the former NNPCL boss was lauded by President Bola Tinubu as a reformer for transforming Nigeria’s oil sector.

“This type of vindictive attack is not good for Nigeria,” Oguntonade declared. “It sends a wrong signal to hardworking professionals who may consider returning to serve their fatherland. If a man like Mele Kyari, who gave his all to reposition NNPCL, can be harassed, what encouragement remains for diaspora Nigerians?”

The NPID highlighted President Tinubu’s public commendations of Kyari’s achievements, adding that in August 2023, Tinubu hailed Kyari as a reformer who repositioned the oil industry to attract global investors during the signing of a $7 billion gas deal.

“In October 2023, the president praised Kyari’s dedication, noting that under his leadership, NNPCL recorded profits for the first time in 44 years, transitioning from a loss-making entity to a profit-making giant,” he said.

The NPID outlined Kyari’s transformative contributions to Nigeria’s oil sector, emphasising that “Under Kyari’s leadership, NNPCL declared profits of ₦287 billion in 2020, ₦674 billion in 2021, and a record-breaking ₦3.3 trillion in 2023.

“Kyari introduced the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) Initiative, publishing audited financial statements for the first time in NNPCL’s history.

“He spearheaded initiatives like the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, the Kolmani Integrated Oil & Gas Development Project, and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.

“Kyari resolved disputes with international oil companies, paving the way for investments like the $10 billion Bonga South-East deepwater project.

“Through Operation White,” he curbed fuel smuggling and ensured a stable supply of petroleum products nationwide.

“These are concrete results that no amount of propaganda can erase,” Oguntonade stated.

The NPID urged President Tinubu to intervene and protect Kyari from “disgruntled elements.”

The group alleged that these attacks stem from individuals who lost access to corrupt practices in NNPCL due to Kyari’s reforms.

“Mr. President, history will not forgive us if we allow enemies of progress to destroy reformers,” Oguntonade said, calling for Kyari to receive a national honour rather than ‘persecution’.

While commending the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its anti-corruption efforts, the NPID criticised its actions against Kyari as misguided. “Public service is not a crime,” Oguntonade emphasised.

The NPID demanded the immediate lifting of any restrictions on Kyari and called for an investigation into the sponsors of the attacks, whom they described as beneficiaries of a dismantled corrupt oil cartel.

The group announced plans to honour Kyari in the United Kingdom in November 2025, with President Tinubu and the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer as special guests.