The protesters demanded Kyari’s immediate removal and pledged to extend their protests nationwide if their demands were not addressed.
Abuja, Nigeria — A coalition of civil society organizations, under the banner of the Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (NICOCSO), staged a protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday, demanding the immediate sacking of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mela Kyari.
The protesters accused Kyari of sabotaging efforts to revamp Nigeria’s petroleum refineries.
The coalition, which addressed journalists during the rally, also called for investigations into alleged acts of sabotage by the NNPCL against plans to restore the nation’s refineries. NICOCSO alleged that NNPCL’s policies have harmed Nigeria’s energy sector by promoting fuel importation over local refining, thereby undermining the nation’s economic stability.
Segun Adebayo, the national spokesperson of the coalition, emphasized the damaging economic impact of NNPCL’s reliance on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) imports. “Despite Nigeria’s potential to refine fuel locally, vested interests within the NNPCL continue to impose fuel importation on Nigeria. This dependency drains the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, costing billions and straining our economy. Meanwhile, Nigerians suffer from currency devaluation and global oil price fluctuations,” Adebayo said.
Adebayo accused the NNPCL leadership of prioritizing personal gains over national prosperity. He noted that industrialists like Aliko Dangote, who have invested in local refineries, face obstacles from NNPCL policies that discourage domestic refining. “The Dangote Refinery represents a transformative opportunity for energy independence and economic growth. However, the NNPCL has hindered local refinery operations, preferring imported PMS and deterring investors,” he added.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly, warning that NNPCL’s policies could plunge Nigeria into deeper economic crises. “We know President Tinubu wants the best for Nigeria,” Adebayo said. “We call on him to caution NNPCL leadership and authorize an investigation into alleged corruption within the fuel sector.”
Benjamin James, NICOCSO’s national coordinator, further advocated for a policy shift that would allow local refineries to buy crude oil in naira instead of dollars. He argued that this would reduce foreign exchange losses, empower local businesses, and strengthen the naira. “Selling crude domestically in naira will signal Nigeria’s commitment to its economic sovereignty, stimulate growth in the refinery sector, and lower fuel prices,” James stated.
The protesters demanded Kyari’s immediate removal and pledged to extend their protests nationwide if their demands were not addressed. “We are here to urge our representatives to stand with the Nigerian people,” Adebayo declared. “If the government does not act, NICOCSO will continue to rally across the 36 states until we achieve transparency, reform, and accountability in NNPCL. Our nation’s economic well-being depends on it.”
The group also vowed to sustain their protests until the government takes decisive action to support local refining efforts and improve Nigeria’s economic resilience.
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