Hundreds of young Nigerian professionals gathered at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday to demand the deportation of Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, over alleged corruption and economic sabotage.
The peaceful protest, organised by the Young Professionals Forum (YPF), called on the UAE government to deny Kyari asylum or residency, accusing him of evading justice amid ongoing corruption investigations in Nigeria.
“His actions crippled productivity, drained our foreign reserves, and exposed consumers to adulterated petroleum products,” said Barrister Sambari Benjamin, who spoke on behalf of the protesters.
“We believe that Mele Kyari’s alleged corrupt practices have had devastating consequences for Nigeria and must not go unpunished.”The demonstrators carried placards with messages urging the UAE to uphold justice and reject being a safe haven for embattled public figures. According to YPF, granting Kyari refuge would “undermine Nigeria’s judicial process and embolden impunity.”
“Allowing Kyari to remain in the UAE would be a direct affront to Nigeria’s judicial process,” Benjamin stated. “It would also send a dangerous message to the youth — that accountability is optional, and justice can be sidestepped by the powerful.”YPF further described the UAE as a “nation of high moral standing” and urged its authorities to uphold international cooperation in the fight against corruption.
This protest follows a World Bank report revealing that the NNPC, under Kyari’s leadership, remitted only about 50% of the petrol subsidy savings to Nigeria’s federation account due to unresolved debt arrears. The development has intensified calls for scrutiny and accountability within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“We urge the UAE not to become an escape route for controversial figures in Nigeria’s regulatory history,” said Benjamin. “Justice must not only be done — it must be seen to be done.
“The protest marks a growing demand among Nigerian youth for transparency and reform, especially in key sectors like oil, where corruption has long been a concern.
