By Ayo Onikoyi

Nigeria came to a standstill on Wednesday, January 8, as Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), marked his 60th birthday.

From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to current and former ministers, and other prominent Nigerians, tributes poured in for the man who has redefined leadership in Africa’s largest energy company.

Under Kyari’s stewardship, NNPCL has undergone a dramatic transformation, erasing fuel scarcity from Nigeria’s end-of-year woes, embedding transparency in its operations, and steering bold decisions that prioritize national interests. As an Almajiri boy who rose to become a celebrated turnaround expert in the oil and gas sector, Kyari’s journey is a story of resilience, vision, and patriotism.

Navigating Challenges with Grit

Despite facing significant challenges, including insecurity, crude oil theft, and pipeline vandalism, Kyari has led NNPCL with steadfast determination. A graduate of geology from the University of Maiduguri, he has worked tirelessly to restore hope in Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy, chalking up remarkable achievements along the way.

One such milestone was NNPCL’s declaration of a ₦3.3 trillion profit for the first time in its 46-year history. The revitalization of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in November and December 2023 respectively also stands out. The restart of the 60,000-barrels-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery and the 150,000-bpd Warri Refinery, which had been dormant for years, marked a turning point for Nigeria’s oil refining capacity.

These successes have been hailed by diverse stakeholders, from labor unions to civil society organizations. Even opposition figures, such as former presidential candidate Dr. Peter Obi, have commended Kyari’s efforts, describing the refinery revamps