Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has shared a heartfelt reflection on his journey from an Almajiri school pupil to leading Africa’s largest energy company.
Kyari, in a statement on X to mark his 60th birthday on January 8, 2025, described his life as a tapestry of trials and triumphs, pain and happiness, failure and success, all shaped by divine providence.
“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,” Kyari wrote.
Expressing gratitude to Nigeria for the opportunities that shaped his path, Kyari said: “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. I deeply appreciate the exceptional privilege given to me by Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and the pioneer CEO of the NNPC Ltd.”
Kyari acknowledged the sacrifices of his family, friends, and mentors who supported him throughout his journey.
“I am hugely indebted to my family for being nearly absent for most of my later years serving our nation and the common good,” he said, adding heartfelt thanks to his teachers, both from Western and Almajiri systems, for shaping his accomplishments.
The NNPCL boss called his 60th birthday a “turning point” and a moment for reflection, service, and eternal accountability.
“At this milestone, I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing,” he stated.
Kyari also used the moment to seek forgiveness from those he may have hurt unintentionally.
“This is a turning point, and I seek forgiveness from anyone I might have hurt unintentionally or unavoidably,” he concluded.
Kyari’s story serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of opportunity in transforming lives.