The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has released a statement defending the tenure of former Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari. In their press release, the organization characterized Kyari as an “exemplary technocrat” whose five-year leadership brought significant transformations to Nigeria’s oil industry.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo highlighted several key achievements under Kyari’s administration, including the publication of NNPCL’s first audited financial statements in 43 years, the company’s first profit in 44 years during the 2020 financial year, and his instrumental role in securing the Final Investment Decision for Train 7 of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas. The organization emphasized these accomplishments as evidence of Kyari’s commitment to transparency and corporate governance reform.
The statement firmly rejected recent calls for investigation by a group identifying themselves as “Concerned Citizens Against Corruption.” Ohanaeze Ndigbo dismissed these protesters as “misguided elements” likely sponsored by political opponents intent on tarnishing Kyari’s reputation and diverting the Federal Government’s attention from more pressing matters.
The organization urged authorities to disregard narratives from what they termed a “faceless group” with questionable motivations, particularly regarding allegations about NNPCL’s financial obligations to Matrix Energy. Ohanaeze Ndigbo concluded that Kyari deserves national recognition rather than scrutiny, asserting that his leadership established a strong foundation for future advancement in Nigeria’s oil industry. The statement was signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.