The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has expressed deep gratitude to God for his remarkable journey from being an Almajiri school pupil to leading Africa’s largest energy company.
In a heartfelt post shared on X (formerly Twitter) to mark his 60th birthday, Kyari reflected on his life, acknowledging the divine grace that has guided him through challenges and triumphs.
He credited his achievements to God, the support of his family, and the opportunities granted by Nigeria’s leadership.
“Allah, by His grace, spared my life to this exceptional day, making it my 60th year from birth, even much earlier on the Hijri calendar,” he wrote. “I am profoundly grateful to my country for allowing me to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.”
Kyari thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu for the trust they placed in him, allowing him to serve as the last Group Managing Director of NNPC and the first CEO of NNPC Limited.
Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “Walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes… only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.” Kyari also expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support despite his frequent absences due to work commitments.
He further noted, “At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense. I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably.”
Marking Kyari’s milestone birthday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised his transformative leadership at NNPCL. In a statement by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu highlighted Kyari’s achievements, including revitalizing key refineries, promoting domestic natural gas consumption, and boosting oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day.
Kyari’s story stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and faith, showcasing his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of Nigeria’s most influential energy leaders.
