Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has publicly challenged billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to disclose the identities of NNPC employees accused of operating a blending plant in Malta. In a statement issued via his social media platforms, Kyari firmly denied owning or knowing any colleagues involved in such operations. He emphasized that neither he nor any known NNPC staff owned a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
This response came after SaharaReporters highlighted Dangote’s accusations that some NNPC members were importing substandard fuel products into Nigeria. Dangote alleged that these individuals created a petroleum refinery in Malta to import inferior fuel, undermining local production. Kyari refuted these claims, stressing that such allegations were baseless and had no bearing on NNPC’s business operations.
Kyari assured the public of NNPC’s commitment to transparency and integrity. He stated that any employee found to be involved in such activities would face strict compliance sanctions. Kyari also urged Dangote to make the identities of the accused individuals public and report them to relevant government security agencies, highlighting the serious implications for national energy security.
The controversy comes amid ongoing discussions to address challenges at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos. A recent high-level meeting chaired by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, included Kyari, Dangote, and other key stakeholders. The meeting aimed to resolve issues critical to Nigeria’s oil sector, with participants expressing gratitude for the Minister’s leadership and intervention. The House of Representatives has called on all parties to refrain from public accusations, urging a more constructive dialogue to maintain industry standards and cooperation.