The Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) have cautioned against actions that could discourage Nigerians abroad from contributing to national development, following what they described as undue restrictions on the personal accounts of Mallam Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Speaking at a press conference in London, NPID President, Dr. Olawale Oguntonade, said such developments risk sending negative signals to professionals considering returning home to serve.
He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had publicly commended Kyari for reforms in the oil and gas sector, citing achievements such as attracting global investment, steering NNPCL to profitability for the first time in 44 years, and initiating major projects including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline and the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline.
Under Kyari’s leadership, NNPCL posted profits of ₦287 billion in 2020, ₦674 billion in 2021, and ₦3.3 trillion in 2023. He also introduced the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) initiative, which led to the publication of audited accounts in the corporation’s history.
The group urged President Tinubu to ensure reformers are not undermined by vested interests, while calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid actions that could discourage public service.
NPID also announced plans to honor Kyari in the United Kingdom in November 2025, with invitations extended to President Tinubu and the UK Prime Minister.
The group concluded by stating that protecting reform-minded leaders is essential to sustaining Nigeria’s progress.
