Hundreds of Nigerian youths under the banner of the Young Professionals Forum (YPF) staged a protest at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, calling for the deportation of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
The demonstrators demanded that Kyari return to Nigeria to face investigations into alleged corruption during his tenure. Barrister Sambari Benjamin, speaking on behalf of the group, accused Kyari of engaging in practices that have severely harmed Nigeria’s economy, particularly the energy sector.
The group alleged that under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPCL deliberately stalled local refining efforts, prioritized personal gain over national interest, and contributed to a significant decline in national productivity. They further claimed his actions led to a depletion of the country’s foreign reserves and increased public exposure to substandard petroleum products.
The protesters called on the UAE government to deny Kyari residency or asylum, emphasizing that providing him refuge would obstruct Nigeria’s judicial process and send a troubling signal that powerful individuals can evade accountability.
According to the group, such a move would undermine the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for public office holders seeking to avoid prosecution by fleeing abroad. “We believe that Mele Kyari’s actions have brought shame to our nation,” said Benjamin. “We urge the UAE to refuse him sanctuary and support Nigeria’s pursuit of justice. Granting him asylum would not only be a betrayal of international cooperation but also a disservice to the Nigerian people.”
The protestors insisted that the UAE uphold its reputation for integrity and justice by rejecting Kyari’s presence in the country. They warned that allowing him to remain in the UAE could be interpreted as shielding a public official accused of serious misconduct.
