More than 20,000 activists converged on the Three Arms Zone in Abuja on Tuesday, calling for the resignation of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The protesters, under the APC Solidarity and Development Forum, cited alleged incompetence and mismanagement under Kyari’s leadership, which they claim has led to worsening fuel prices, fuel scarcity, and economic hardship.
The protest, spearheaded by youths and various civil society groups, highlighted frustrations over skyrocketing fuel prices and continuous fuel queues that have severely impacted Nigerians. In an open letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, protest conveners Comrade Kabir Matazu and Danielsi Momoh pointed to the fuel crisis as evidence of systemic leadership failure within the NNPCL.
Despite repeated assurances from Kyari to address the fuel scarcity, protesters expressed disappointment, stating that the situation remains unresolved, deepening public discontent and undermining the presidency’s Renewed Hope agenda. The forum criticized Kyari’s administration for not making local refineries operational, despite a $4 billion investment from the Federal Government.
The letter also raised concerns about unresolved corruption cases within the NNPCL, with protesters asserting that Kyari’s leadership is “detrimental to NNPCL and the Nigerian populace.” They called for a new leader who would bring accountability and efficiency to the petroleum sector.