Mele Kyari: A Patriot Full of Guts, Vision at 59

Every human being is remembered for the things they said or did in their lifetime. For individuals like Mele Kyari whose lives have been spent in the service of others, the acclaim accompanying their accomplishments will always overshadow others. This is why at 59, Kyari is considered the light of the petroleum sector in Nigeria.

Kyari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), is 59. The birthday celebration of the Borno State native eclipsed that of his predecessors in the oil and gas sector, demonstrating his uniqueness as one of the most accomplished of these corporate ancillaries.

Many dignitaries sent birthday messages to Kyari, both privately and publicly. Among these, President Bola Tinubu celebrated Kyari’s activeness and proactiveness, admitting that his systematic approach to problem-solving renders him an invaluable asset to Nigeria. These words capture the essence of Kyari’s work at NNPC, although they do little justice to the man’s heartfelt motivation to serve his country and countrymen.

Kyari had the privilege to study Geology and Earth Science from the University of Maiduguri. That knowledge served as the launching pad to get him involved in NNPC, reinforcing his status as a crude oil marketer with the domain grasp of a geologist.

Kyari has served his time in many crude oil-related positions. He used to be the Group General Manager of NNPC’s Crude Oil Marketing Division. Then, in 2018, he took up the position of Nigeria’s National Representative in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In his current status as NNPC’s number one boss, Kyari has not abandoned his original intentions to be a trustworthy public servant to his people.

At 59, Kyari is doing well for himself. He is crafting himself into an example of public service, unmoved by the blade of greed hanging over the heads of all in wealth-fertile positions.