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Fuel Queue: Rights Group writes new DG DSS to investigate Mele Kyari, other oil sector players

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A rights group, Centre for Human Rights in Africa, has written to the new Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, calling for an investigation into the activities of Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and other top officials in the oil sector.

In the letter signed by Princess Caroline Obi, the group alleged that Kyari and other officials, including Gbenga Olu Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), have been involved in various nefarious activities that have hindered the growth and development of the oil sector in Nigeria.

Specifically, the group accused the officials of unaccounted crude oil production and sales, frustrating the functionality of refineries in Nigeria, and preferring the export of crude oil to refineries linked to them outside Nigeria, thereby shortchanging the government and accruing forex debts on the already stretched economy of the country.

The group also alleged that the officials have amassed wealth not commensurate with their earnings as chief executive officers of government organizations.

“The Director General would be alarmed about the rot in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria under the watch of the above-listed individuals,” the letter said.

“They have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheels of progress in the country. They have continued to milk the country dry by frustrating the functionality of the refineries in the country.

“It is also on record that they have been neck deep in frustrating the desire for local refining of petroleum products in the country, preferring the export our crude oil to refineries linked to them outside the shores of the country, thereby shortchanging the government and accruing forex debts on the already stretched economy of the country.

“We are therefore using this medium to call for an investigation of the above-mentioned individuals in a bid to unravel their nefarious activities and also put an end to it for the betterment of the country at large.
The Centre for Human Rights in Africa is conversant with the unalloyed commitment of the director general in the Nigerian project, hence our writing this letter requesting an investigation into the oil and gas administration in Nigeria.

“It is indeed sad that these individuals have constituted themselves into a gang working against the interests of the country. They have amassed so much wealth that is not commensurate with their earnings as chief executive officers of government organizations.

“We wish to also state that Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is the ring leader, who has been engaging in acts that have cost the country considerable loss of revenues over the years.

“The Director General may wish to recall that recently, there was a news report on how officials of the NNPCL sign off substandard petroleum products from Malta into the country. This example is one of numerous others that have been detrimental to the economic stability of the country.”

The Centre for Human Rights in Africa called on the DSS to investigate the activities of the officials and bring an end to their alleged nefarious actions for the betterment of Nigeria.

“The Centre for Human Rights in Africa is desirous of a better Nigeria and one of the ways this could be achieved is when there is a clean-up in the administration of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria,” the letter added.

“This is also on the heels that Nigeria’s major source of revenue is crude oil production and sales. As it stands the country is on the brink of annihilation if urgent steps are not taken.

“We trust that the director general would use his good office to investigate the activities of the above-mentioned individuals in the overall interest of the country.”

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3,000 Nigerians Join Young Professionals for Tinubu Nationwide Network to Build a Stronger Youth-Led Movement

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Lagos, Nigeria – Tuesday 11 Feb 2025 – In a rapidly changing world where the role of young professionals in shaping national policies and economic progress has never been more critical, more than 3,000 Nigerians have now joined Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T), a dynamic and fast-growing youth-driven movement dedicated to leadership, policy engagement, and economic empowerment. From Lagos to Kano, Oyo to Abuja, YP4T’s expanding membership reflects the increasing recognition among young Nigerians that national progress is best achieved through active participation rather than passive observation.Founded in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic transformation, YP4T has quickly established itself as a mobilizing force for young professionals who see themselves not just as beneficiaries of development but as key drivers of it. Across multiple states, its members are actively working to strengthen Nigeria’s economic, technological, and entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that young people are not left behind in the country’s evolving growth story. With an economy valued at over $440 billion and a youth population that makes up more than 60% of Nigeria’s 200 million citizens, the impact of an organized and engaged professional youth network cannot be overstated.Through direct interventions in education, career development, and entrepreneurship, YP4T has already begun making a tangible impact. In the past six months, the movement has facilitated over N50 million in small business support, connected more than 1,200 young Nigerians to industry mentors across finance, technology, and governance, and provided professional development training to over 800 early-career professionals. Its education-focused initiatives have also led to the launch of the YP4T Scholarship & Skills Fund, which has supported university students and technical training beneficiaries in multiple states, ensuring that economic hardship does not derail potential.Speaking on the significance of this milestone, Alex Oware, Regional Director of YP4T noted that the energy and enthusiasm among Nigerian professionals is a clear indicator of a national shift toward youth-led development. He emphasized that beyond conversations, YP4T is focused on real impact. “We are building a generation that is ready to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. The rapid expansion of our network is proof that young Nigerians want to be involved in shaping the country’s future. The best way to honor the administration’s vision for national development is not just to support it but to become part of the execution—ensuring that policies translate into opportunities for people across the country.”With a global economy increasingly shaped by innovation, digital transformation, and skills-based growth, Nigeria’s ability to leverage its youth population as a competitive advantage is key to future success. Countries that have seen rapid economic expansion, such as South Korea, India, and Singapore, have all placed structured investments in their young workforce at the center of their policies. Nigeria, with an annual graduate output of over 600,000 students, has an opportunity to turn its youth into a global workforce powerhouse, and movements like YP4T are providing a structured platform to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.Members across multiple industries have expressed how joining YP4T has helped them connect to opportunities they previously struggled to access. One of the beneficiaries of the YP4T professional development initiative, Raphael Utoku, described how the movement helped him transition from struggling to find his first job to securing a role in a multinational company. “I joined YP4T because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. Beyond the leadership discussions and the networking, I gained practical mentorship that has completely transformed my career path. It’s the kind of community that young professionals in Nigeria have needed for a long time.”YP4T’s growth is a direct reflection of its members’ commitment to building a stronger, globally competitive Nigeria. As the network expands, its next phase will focus on providing additional funding support for small businesses, scaling mentorship programs to reach more sectors, and launching policy engagement forums that give young professionals a direct voice in national decision-making. The momentum behind the movement is a reminder that real change happens when young people take ownership of their future, and YP4T is ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind in this era of national transformation.For more information on YP4T’s programs or to become a member, visit YP4T on Instagram.

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Lagos cancels work-from-home policy, workers to resume full on-site duty April 1

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has scrapped the work-from-home initiative introduced by his administration, directing all public servants to resume full on-site work from April 1, 2025.Sanwo-Olu had in February 2024 announced the policy which allowed civil servants in the state from levels one to 14 to work only three days.However, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that scrapping of the policy followed the implementation of the new minimum wage and other welfare measures for state for state workers.

“Further to the implementation of the New Minimum Wage in the state public service and other commendable measures put in place by this administration to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants, Mr. Governor has approved the cancellation of the work-from-home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service,” the statement read.He urged all public servants to rededicate themselves to their duties and ensure improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies .“Accounting Officers are enjoined to note the contents of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it deserves,” he added.

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Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has committed a bill to establish the State’s research trust fund to a sub-committee of the House.Meranda also emphasised the need for tertiary institutions in the state to partake in effective research works for the benefit of the state.This was as the bill, sponsored by a member of the House, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, scaled second reading on the floor of the House.The proposed law is aimed at creating a ‘state research trust fund for the allocation, management and administration of the trust fund and for connected purposes’.Supporting the bill, lawmakers praised the sponsor and noted that it would help advance the state.Yishawu told his colleagues that the bill was important as it would help drive innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement in the state.According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, cannot afford to lag in scientific and technological development.He argued that a well-structured research and development funding system would enhance governance, stimulate industrialisation, and position the state as a leader in innovation.He also stressed that the bill, when passed, would touch every facet of Lagos.Dissecting the bill, some of the lawmakers raised concerns over taxation but agreed that the bill was important.Hon. Noheem Adams stressed that funding would help to provide a veritable opportunity for researchers to come up with results that help societies.According to him, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, “it would have been difficult to visualize that a day would come when we will all have a handset in our pockets.”The ad-hoc committee is expected to fine-tune the bill ahead of further processes leading to its passage.Signed:Media Office Of The Rt. Hon. Speaker

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