From Almajiri school to NNPC CEO: Mele Kyari celebrates 60th birthday
By Jeffrey Agbo
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, has shared the inspiring story of his rise from humble beginnings as an Almajiri school pupil to leading Africa’s largest energy company.
Kyari made the revelation on Wednesday via his X handle, @MKKyari, as he marked his 60th birthday, expressing profound gratitude to Nigeria for the opportunities that shaped his remarkable journey.
“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. “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.”
Reflecting on his life, he described his journey as one filled with “good and bad times, travails and triumphs, pains and happiness, fails and successes,” emphasising that only the sufficiency of Allah could explain his accomplishments.
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Kyari extended his gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with key roles, first as the last Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and later as the pioneer CEO of the restructured NNPCL.
“At this milestone,” he continued, “I feel the obligation to serve with even greater conviction and with elevated expectation of eternal recompense so deeply pleasing.”
Kyari also acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family during his years of service to the nation, describing himself as “nearly absent” from their lives during his later years. He thanked his family, friends, associates, colleagues, teachers—both Western and Almajiri—and all who contributed to his personal and professional growth.
He concluded by seeking forgiveness from anyone he may have hurt, either unintentionally or unavoidably, over the years.
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