*Nigeria’s Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre notes Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director/CEO of NNPC Limited was recognised because of his distinguished leadership role, sterling achievements on transparency and accountability through the various reforms in the company

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) has applauded Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of NNPC Limited, for transforming the fortunes of the oil company from a position of loss-making into a profit-making venture in Nigeria.

The PPRAC gave this commendation while conferring on Malam Kyari its “2020 Zik Prize for Public Service Leadership’’ during the weekend at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria, Island, Lagos.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, in a statement Monday, November 8, 2021, said the GMD/CEO received the latest recognition from the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu at the well-attended event, also witnessed by the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd.), and several other dignitaries.

Chief Mac Wabara, speaking on behalf of the Centre, said Malam Kyari was recognised, following his distinguished leadership role and sterling achievements in the NNPC, which are all evident through the various reforms he instituted at the Corporation through transparency and accountability.

Chief Wabara stated: “Mele Kyari continues to seamlessly transform the operations of NNPC, including deepening domestic gas utilisation, rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and public disclosure of NNPC accounts, the first in NNPC’s 44 years of existence.”

He added that Kyari’s greatest achievement, no doubt, was turning around the fortunes of the NNPC, from a loss of position, into a profit-making entity.

Wabara further said: “Under Kyari’s watch at the NNPC, the company declared a profit after tax of N287bn in 2020 after losses were reduced from N803bn in 2018 to N1.7bn in 2019. This is unprecedented in the history of the NNPC.”

The PPRAC explained Malam Kyari also, consistently, played a huge role in the enactment,  of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

With the coming of the legislation, the NNPC is now well-positioned to operate efficiently, like its global peers, noted Wabara.

In his response, Kyari said in the last two years, the NNPC had automated its processes and systems, reduced its costs of operations, and focused on delivering value to Nigerians in line with his Management vision of Transparency, Accountability & Performance Excellence (TAPE).

The NNPC GMD/CEO also stressed that the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has placed huge responsibility on the NNPC to do things differently, and be much more accountable to its shareholders, the over 200 million Nigerians.

He said that the Zik Leadership Award would spur him and his Management team to work harder towards becoming an International National Oil Company that is at par with its global peers.

Other recipients of the prestigious Zik Leadership Award include Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim; and Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora.

The company noted that Dr. Bashir Jamo, Director-General and CEO of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA); and Managing Director/CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji also attended the event in Lagos.

Established in 1994 by the PPRAC and now in its 26th edition, the Zik Prize in Leadership is aimed at highlighting late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s legacy of patriotic fervor and nationalist vision.