Nigeria helped me grow from Almajiri pupil to CEO of Africa’s largest energy company – Mele Kyari

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari has said he is grateful to Nigeria for giving him the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company.

Kyari, who clocked 60 today, stated this in an X post celebrating his birthday and his journey so far.

“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.

“I am profoundly grateful to my country for giving me the opportunity to grow from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) school pupil to become the CEO of Africa’s largest energy company,” the NNPCL boss said.

He extended his gratitude to Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu for giving him the privilege to “serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd”.

Kyari added, “Reflecting backwards alone can’t account for the profoundly eventful life I spent to this date, walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes and many more that only the sufficiency of Allah will explain.

“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.”

He thanked his family “for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good”.

“My deep appreciation to my family, friends and associates, my colleagues at work and my teachers (western and of Almajiri extractions), and many unmentioned people who account for many of my accomplishments, unconditional support and my overall wellbeing.

“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably,” Kyari added.