Yoruba  Group Lauds  Ex-NNPCL Boss Kyari, Showcase His  Legacy of Reforms

Menake Samuel

The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has strongly condemned a recent protest led by Comrade Kabir Matazu, which called for the probe and prosecution of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.

The protest, staged on Tuesday under the banner of a group called Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, took place at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The group alleged non-payment of a $2 billion debt by Kyari’s administration.

In a statement issued Thursday, the National Coordinator of the YYC, Comrade Eric Oluwole, dismissed the protest as narrow, selfish, unjustifiable, and unpatriotic. He argued that rather than facing persecution, Kyari should be applauded for his significant achievements during his tenure.

“An objective look at the grievances of the protesters reveals that this so-called anti-corruption group is cloaking personal and selfish interests in the name of national concern,” the statement read. “Why was their focus solely on a single debt claim, while ignoring broader and more pressing issues affecting the oil and gas sector?”

The YYC questioned the timing and motive of the protest, suggesting it was targeted and possibly sponsored. It noted that the NNPCL, being a corporate institution, has the mechanisms to handle such claims, making a public protest unnecessary.

The Council went on to highlight key milestones achieved under Kyari’s leadership from July 8, 2019, to April 2, 2025. Among them were:

Launch of the Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) initiative to enhance operational efficiency.

Discovery of oil in Kolmani River-II Well and resolution of longstanding production disputes.

Achievement of a new production peak of 331,400 barrels per day in May 2020.

Reduction in oil production costs through renegotiated JV and PSC agreements.

Strategic investments and financing agreements totaling billions of dollars to boost output and sustainability.

Acquisition of new oil acreages and recovery of substantial debts owed to NNPCL.

Implementation of major infrastructure projects including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline.

Expansion of Nigeria’s LNG capacity through the NLNG Train 7 project.

Support for uninterrupted fuel supply, operation “White” to curb smuggling, and enhanced transparency in fuel distribution.

According to the YYC, these accomplishments underscore Kyari’s transformative leadership and commitment to national progress. The council urged Nigerians to look beyond distractions and recognize individuals whose service has positively impacted the country.

“Kyari’s record speaks for itself. His efforts have laid a strong foundation for a more transparent and efficient oil sector. He deserves commendation, not condemnation,” the statement noted