Scores of protesters gathered at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters on Monday, calling for the immediate resignation of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer. Organized by civil society groups and led by prominent activists, the protesters voiced strong disapproval of Kyari’s management, accusing him of exacerbating Nigeria’s ongoing fuel crisis and worsening economic conditions.
The protesters carried placards with messages like “We demand the immediate resignation of Kyari” and accused his leadership of incompetence. Abdullahi Bilal, a leader from the “Two Million Man March Against Oil Scam Cabal,” voiced frustration over Kyari’s handling of the nation’s oil sector. “Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consideration of the devastating impact on the people,” Bilal said. “We have endured fuel scarcity while substandard, adulterated fuel is imported, causing further hardship.”
Key issues raised by the protesters included soaring fuel prices, endless queues at petrol stations, and the impact of inflation on everyday Nigerians. Protest leaders also condemned the importation of adulterated fuel, which has reportedly damaged vehicles and hurt small businesses. They questioned how low-quality fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control and demanded a halt to such imports. “We want to know how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control,” said Barrister Napoleon Otache, a representative of the Citizens and Economic Freedom Rights Activists.
Protesters also expressed disappointment with unfulfilled promises about Nigeria’s refineries, specifically the much-anticipated Dangote refinery. They argued that, despite billions of dollars invested in new refinery projects and refurbishments, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on costly fuel imports. “This act of economic sabotage has led to endless fuel queues, skyrocketing fuel prices, and unprecedented disruptions in the daily lives of Nigerians,” said Olayemi Isaac, another protest leader.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene by replacing NNPCL’s leadership, enforcing accountability, and putting citizens’ needs first. Bilal also called for an end to Nigeria’s controversial fuel subsidy program, arguing that it has only enriched a select few at the expense of the public. “We demand the complete removal of the fraudulent fuel subsidy regime. Full deregulation is necessary to introduce transparency, competition, and fairness to our oil sector,” he said.
Kyari, who was appointed Group Managing Director of NNPC by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019, now serves under a new title created by the Petroleum Industry Act. Protesters argued that his tenure has worsened the country’s energy situation and voiced intentions to keep pressuring the government until they see change.
In response to the protests, NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye defended Kyari’s record, arguing that the protesters misunderstand the complexities of the oil industry. “Unfortunately, they lack understanding of the sector,” Soneye said. “If they were informed, they would know that the GCEO is not responsible for the fuel price increase; in fact, he ensured Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.”
Soneye also dismissed claims that NNPCL imports adulterated fuel, urging anyone with evidence to bring it forward. “NNPC Ltd does not import adulterated fuel. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, they should bring forward samples of any such fuel imported by NNPC,” he said.
He further criticized the protest organizers, describing them as “individuals motivated by selfish interests,” and emphasized that NNPCL remains focused on projects to ensure energy security, in line with President Tinubu’s roadmap for the sector. “No group will deter or distract us from achieving this goal,” Soneye stated.
The protests at NNPCL underscore growing public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s fuel crisis and economic challenges. As the situation continues to unfold, activists vow to keep pressing for reforms in the nation’s oil sector until they see genuine accountability and change.