Former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, is facing mounting pressure from Nigerian citizens in the United Kingdom who are calling for his deportation over alleged financial misconduct during his six-year tenure at the helm of the state-owned oil corporation.
On Monday, a coalition of Nigerians under the banner of Rescue Nigeria Now (RNN) held coordinated protests at the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Home Office in London.
The demonstrators submitted formal petitions demanding Kyari’s immediate return to Nigeria to face anti-corruption investigations.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Withdraw Mele Kyari’s residency now!” and “Mele Kyari, go home and face the EFCC now!” while accusing the former NNPCL head of fleeing the country to evade ongoing corruption probes by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies.
In its petition to the Nigerian High Commissioner, RNN expressed concern that Kyari’s continued stay in the UK represents a disregard for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and the rule of law.
The group stated, “We see this as an affront to the people of Nigeria and an insult to the esteemed anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The petition detailed allegations against Kyari, including the misappropriation of multi-billion-dollar funds allocated for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt.
Protesters claim the funds vanished without accountability under his leadership, leaving the refineries inoperative.
RNN also submitted a petition to the UK Home Office, highlighting what they described as the international implications of sheltering individuals under investigation for financial crimes.
The group alleged that Kyari had transferred parts of the alleged illicit proceeds to bank accounts in London, urging UK authorities to uphold their obligations under international anti-corruption agreements.
“We have cause to believe that for Mr. Kyari to have fled to the United Kingdom, he has transferred parts of the proceeds of his crimes to bank accounts in London,” the group stated in its submission to the UK government.
Kyari served as NNPCL boss from 2019 until his reported departure from Nigeria in early April or May 2025.
The NNPCL has also not issued a statement concerning the protests or the claims raised.
The EFCC has yet to confirm the status of any formal investigation into Kyari, though multiple petitions from civil society groups have reportedly been filed in recent months, urging the commission to investigate financial activities during his time in office.
The situation presents a new diplomatic test between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, particularly under the lens of bilateral anti-corruption commitments. Whether the UK government will act on the petitions remains to be seen.
However, the protests signal growing public demand for accountability, especially regarding leadership in strategic state enterprises.
As of the time of reporting, both the UK Home Office and the Nigerian High Commission have not issued official responses to the petitions submitted by the demonstrators.
