In a bold demonstration on Friday, a coalition of young professionals and civil society activists gathered outside the United States Embassy in Abuja to demand a visa ban on Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The protest comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations of massive corruption and financial mismanagement linked to billions of dollars intended for the repair and modernization of Nigeria’s critical oil refineries.
The protest was led by the Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria (YPFN), which submitted a formal petition to Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr., urging the U.S. government to bar Kyari from entering the United States until investigations into his conduct are conclusively resolved.
At the center of the controversy is the allegation that Mele Kyari oversaw the misappropriation of over $4 billion allocated for repairs at Nigeria’s Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. According to the petition submitted by YPFN, the funds were meant to rejuvenate Nigeria’s refining capacity, which has struggled for years due to neglect, leading to high fuel import bills and energy insecurity.
Barrister Sambari Benjamin, Convener of the Young Professionals Forum, condemned Kyari’s alleged actions, stating, “Mr. Mele Kyari is implicated in gross abuse of office and the diversion of funds earmarked for critical infrastructure repairs. This level of corruption undermines national development and costs Nigerians dearly.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly declared Kyari and thirteen other individuals wanted in connection with this case. Despite publicly expressing willingness to cooperate with authorities, Kyari is alleged to have remained elusive, raising suspicions of an attempt to evade justice.
The petitioners argued that denying Kyari entry into the United States would send a strong message of zero tolerance towards corruption and signal support for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s governance. They appealed directly to Ambassador Mills and the U.S. government: “We urge you to prevent Mr. Mele Kyari from entering your jurisdiction until investigations conclude and he clears his name. This will preserve America’s reputation as a global leader in fighting corruption.”
This call reflects increasing civil society pressure on international partners to support anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria by imposing visa restrictions on indicted individuals.
Mele Kyari’s tenure as NNPCL CEO coincided with numerous controversies surrounding Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has grappled with refining capacity challenges for decades, relying heavily on costly imports of refined petroleum products despite having local refineries.
Mismanagement and corruption allegations against high-ranking officials like Kyari exacerbate the sector’s woes, hindering economic growth and energy security. The ongoing probe into NNPCL’s activities is seen as a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to reforming its oil industry and cracking down on corruption.
The protest at the US Embassy is part of a broader campaign by Nigerian activists both at home and abroad. Similar demonstrations have been reported at the Saudi and UAE embassies in Abuja, demanding diplomatic pressure on Kyari. Diaspora groups in the US and Europe are also mobilizing to raise awareness and call for sanctions against those implicated in the scandal.
These efforts highlight a growing trend of civic engagement where citizens seek international cooperation to tackle entrenched corruption, signaling a new chapter in Nigeria’s fight for good governance.
As of this report, neither the Nigerian government nor Mele Kyari has issued an official response to the protest or the petition. Meanwhile, the EFCC continues its investigations, with several other officials linked to the NNPCL under scrutiny.
Observers suggest that the outcome of this probe could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s oil industry leadership and its broader anti-corruption agenda.