A coalition of civil society organizations has demanded the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The call was made during a protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Friday. The coalition, under the Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, accused Kyari of mismanaging the oil sector, thereby hindering the potential of local refineries and contributing to economic woes.
The national spokesperson of the group, Segun Adebayo, criticized the policies set by NNPCL, describing them as profit-driven and detrimental to initiatives aimed at achieving energy self-sufficiency and boosting local employment. Adebayo highlighted the persistent reliance on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) importation despite Nigeria’s capability to refine fuel locally.
He argued that this dependence on imports has resulted in substantial foreign exchange losses, weakening the economy and increasing the financial burden on ordinary Nigerians.
“This unnecessary import dependency costs Nigeria billions in foreign exchange every year,” Adebayo said. “The economy is heavily strained, and the public bears the consequences of fluctuating global oil prices and currency devaluation, while vested interests within NNPCL profit from maintaining the status quo.”
Benjamin James, the national coordinator of the coalition, called for a policy shift to support local refineries by mandating the sale of crude oil in naira rather than in dollars. He argued that this move would reduce foreign exchange losses, bolster local industries, and enhance economic sovereignty.
“A critical policy change we advocate is selling Nigerian crude oil to local refineries in naira. This shift would significantly cut down our foreign exchange losses, empower local businesses, and stabilize the naira,” James noted. “This step would demonstrate a serious commitment to prioritizing local industries and the economic well-being of Nigeria.”
The group has urged the government to investigate the alleged sabotage of refinery operations and to hold accountable those responsible for policies that undermine Nigeria’s path to energy independence.
