How I grew from Almajiri school to become NNPCL GCEO – Mele Kyari

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, has shared a heartfelt account of his journey from being an Almajiri school pupil to leading Nigeria’s foremost oil company.

In a post on his X handle, @MKKyari, on Wednesday, Kyari marked his 60th birthday with reflections on his life and career. Expressing gratitude, he credited Nigeria for providing him with opportunities to rise from humble beginnings to his current position.

He extended his appreciation to former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu for trusting him to serve as the last Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC and the first CEO of the restructured NNPCL.

“Walking through good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, failures and successes—only Allah’s sufficiency explains them,” Kyari noted, underscoring his reliance on faith throughout his journey.

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He wrote “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.

“Even more particular, 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.

“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.

“I am hugely indebted to my 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 well-being.

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

(Channels)