Mele Kyari: A Trailblazer At NNPCL And His Audacious Milestones—-As the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari is a trailblazing executive renowned for his unwavering commitment to excellence.

His impressive track record at NNPCL is a testament to his strategic prowess, transparency, and accountability. Despite facing numerous challenges, Kyari has successfully transformed NNPCL into a profitable and world-class organization, revolutionizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

With a distinguished background in crude oil marketing, Kyari’s expertise has been instrumental in driving NNPCL’s success. Notably, in 2015, as Group General Manager of the Crude Oil Marketing Division, he skillfully managed federation entitlements, ensured national energy security, and optimized the Direct Sale of crude oil and Direct Purchase of petroleum products (DSDP) arrangement. Kyari’s remarkable leadership and achievements have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Mele Kyari’s Leadership Excellence in the Oil and Gas Industry

As a prominent global player in the oil and gas sector, Mele Kyari’s role as Nigeria’s National Representative to OPEC since 2018 underscores his exceptional leadership and managerial expertise. Upon his appointment as Group Managing Director of NNPC in 2019, he was widely regarded as a model servant leader, inspiring and empowering others to deliver outstanding results.

Kyari has been a driving force behind transparency and accountability, championing the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and spearheading the transformation of NNPC into NNPC Limited. His achievements include introducing cost discipline, rehabilitating refineries, and promoting domestic gas utilization. Notably, under his leadership, NNPC has commenced novel LNG shipments to Japan and China, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for national progress.

The ongoing implementation of CNG as a cleaner alternative fuel to PMS is a testament to Kyari’s vision for a sustainable energy future. His leadership has set unprecedented precedents in the public service sector, cementing his reputation as a trailblazing executive in the oil and gas industry.

NNPC’s Historic Profitability Under Kyari’s Leadership

Under Mele Kyari’s leadership, NNPC has achieved unprecedented financial success, declaring its first profit in 44 years in 2020 and sustaining profitability in subsequent years. The company has also excelled in transparency, consistently publishing audited financial statements.

The recently released 2023 audited financial statement showcases NNPC’s remarkable growth, with a net profit of N3.3 trillion, a N749 billion increase from the previous year. This follows a steady upward trend, from a loss of N803 billion in 2018 to profits of N287 billion in 2020 and N674.1 billion in 2021.

NNPC’s revenue surged to N24 trillion in 2023, up from N8.81 trillion in 2022, with the company declaring a dividend of N2.1 trillion to shareholders. This exceptional fiscal performance is a testament to Kyari’s strategic foresight and operational resilience.

Key factors contributing to this success include the Petroleum Industry Bill, which enhanced government revenue from Production Sharing Contract Arrangements and resolved disputes with International Oil Companies. Kyari’s exemplary leadership has had a profound impact on NNPC’s performance and reputation, cementing his legacy as a transformative leader in the oil and gas industry.

Mr. Kyari’s Commitment to Excellence Drives NNPCL’s Strategic Partnerships

Mele Kyari’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and performance excellence is further demonstrated by NNPCL’s plans to partner with reputable Operations and Maintenance companies to revamp the Warri and Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Companies. This strategic move acknowledges the limitations of previous management under civil servants and seeks to inject expertise and efficiency into the refineries.

As a distinguished Fellow of various prestigious Institutes, including the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (FNAPE) and the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (FNMGS), Kyari has consistently showcased his competence and credibility. Under his leadership, Nigeria’s oil and gas future looks brighter than ever.

We urge all Nigerians to rally behind Kyari, offering support and encouragement as he builds on these remarkable achievements and propels NNPCL to even greater heights. With his vision and expertise, the country’s oil and gas sector is poised for unprecedented growth and success.

Opinion: Adebayo Afolabi

Adebayo Afolabi is a public commentator and writes from Lagos

Eko Revenue Plus Summit: A “win-win” opportunity for fresh Public-Private Partnerships to Drive N5 Trillion Revenue Growth in Lagos State——Modo Ante, a pioneer Governance, Public Sector & Political Consultancy, is thrilled to invite sponsors, partners and exhibitors to be part of the Eko Revenue Plus Summit, set to take place on September 25-26, 2024, at the Eko Hotel and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This high-powered event which will be a convergence of business leaders, industry experts and government officials aims to explore innovative strategies to increase the State’s internal generated revenue (IGR) to N5 Trillion by 2027; and to drive sustainable economic growth for the State and prosperity for its inhabitants.

The Eko Revenue Plus Summit is an audacious ambition aimed at unlocking new streams of revenue for the State to fast-track socio-economic development. It is a crucial step towards harnessing the full potential of Lagos State. According to Joko Okupe, CEO of Modo Ante, the Organizers of the Summit, “By leveraging technology and innovation, we can unlock ‘new money’ that will enhance Lagos State’s ability to provide better social amenities and economic opportunities for Lagosians”

Speaking further, he stated that there are several sectors holding untapped potential for revenue growth in Lagos State, but the focus will be strong on how the income streams of existing revenue generation of Government entities can be enhanced and how “new money” can be generated.  By new money, he meant revenues that erstwhile do not exist. “Working closely with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation & Revenue and his team, we have identified five core sectors of the State’s economy with the potentials for additional revenue to help generate extra (Plus) IGR of about N2.73 Trillion. These sectors, in order of priority, are Property, Digital Economy, Informal Sector, Energy Sector and Circular Economy, with The Energy Sector as a support pillar for the other four sectors and a catalyst for the general economic development in any environment, for that matter.”

According to him, the Summit will also look into how Government entities that are presently cost centres or generating very little revenues, in these sectors, can be transformed to render value-added services to citizens, such that can make them become revenue earners. The Summit will highlight the strong potential in utilizing technology to enhance public service delivery. These are low hanging fruits that will deliver value to citizens, make their lives easier, and make the Public Sector more efficient.

The Summit intends to enable better understanding of the current Lagos State revenue landscape, identify key challenges and opportunities, provoke an out-of-the-box thinking to inspire Government embrace innovative approaches to creating new revenue opportunities, especially through creation of value-added services that will enhance Government’s productivity and capacity to deliver more services to Lagosians.

He added that Government Agencies can be empowered to create Products and Services that give citizens such great value that they will be willing to exchange them for money, which in turn generates new revenues for Government.

Sustainability is also key, as the initiatives and solutions discussed will focus on long-term, sustainable revenue generation practices that ensure economic stability and growth. By adopting these practices, the State will not only boost its current revenue but also secure its economic future and that of Lagosians.”

He called on the Managers of the commanding heights of the Lagos State economy to rally round this project since it is designed to be a “win-win” for sponsors, partners, Lagosians, businesses, international investors, and others.

“The Eko Revenue Plus Summit also offers a platform for innovators to pitch ideas that are capable of unlocking new revenue streams for the State. By participating in the Summit, sponsors and partners will gain numerous benefits, including: Enhanced visibility through extensive exposure to a diverse audience, including government officials, business leaders, investors, and international media. It also provides strategic networking opportunities to connect with key stakeholders and decision-makers to forge valuable partnerships and explore new business opportunities.

Beyond these, the sponsors and partners will leverage the Summit to enhance their brand positioning as leaders in driving economic transformation and innovation in Lagos State – including the exclusive access to high-profile speakers and panellists. Their participation offers a rare opportunity to connect and collaborate with the Lagos State Government and her Agencies in a deeper alliance to work together to serve Lagosians. It will also boost their Corporate Social Responsibility profiles as it demonstrates their commitment to supporting sustainable development and economic growth in one of Africa’s most viable destinations.

One of the core objectives of the summit is to ensure that the innovative revenue generation ideas to be explored, will directly translate into improved lives and livelihood for Lagosians, whilst also enhancing the revenue profile of the State.

Speaking further, he said that, “Increased revenue will also mean more economic opportunities for the citizens and residents of Lagos State. The initiatives from the Summit will support job creation, entrepreneurship, and the growth of small businesses.