From student in Almajiri to CEO of NNPC: Kyari’s experience at age 60
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has thought back on his path from a student at Almajiri school to managing the biggest energy company in Africa.
He also promised to be more dedicated and fervent in his service to the country.
In honour of his 60th birthday, which is when most heads of public agencies retire, Kyari made this statement in a social media post on Wednesday.
Born on January 8, 1965, Kyari was appointed in July 2019 by previous President Muhammadu Buhari.
He has spent the last 32 years working for the NNPC, making him an oil sector veteran.
According to the message, “By Allah’s grace, I was spared to live to this extraordinary day, which marks my 60th year of birth—even earlier on the Hijri calendar.”
“I owe my nation a great deal for enabling me to rise from a schoolchild in Almajiri (Tsangaya) to the position of CEO of the biggest energy firm in Africa.
“More specifically, I am extremely grateful for the unique opportunity that Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted me to be the pioneer CEO of NNPC Ltd. and the last GMD of the firm.”
Looking back on his life, Kyari said that it was full of hardships and victories, which he credited to divine favor.
Additionally, he asked for forgiveness from everyone he might have accidentally or unavoidably offended.
The extraordinarily eventful life I have led up to this point, navigating both good and bad times, trials and victories, suffering and joy, failures and accomplishments, and many more that only Allah’s sufficiency can explain, he continued.
At this significant point, I feel obligated to serve with even more fervor and with the lofty hope of everlasting reward, which is incredibly fulfilling.
In order to serve our country and the common good throughout the majority of my later years, I owe a debt of gratitude to my family.
Many of my accomplishments, unwavering support, and general well-being can be attributed to my family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, teachers (both Western and Almajiri), and several others who I have yet to name.
“This marks a turning point, and I humbly ask for forgiveness from anyone I may have accidentally or unavoidably hurt.”
