- Threaten Mass Action, Global Petitions If Demands Are IgnoredA
A coalition of over 75 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the banner of the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs), in conjunction with the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has issued a 21-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch an independent forensic audit and a public judicial probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the leadership of Mele Kyari.
At a world press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, June 29, 2025, the coalition decried what it termed “industrial-scale corruption, brazen mismanagement, and abuse of office” under Kyari’s tenure as Group Managing Director (GMD) of the defunct NNPC and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL.
The CNPP and CNCSOs listed a catalogue of financial scandals including a recently uncovered ₦210 trillion in unreconciled transactions, $6.9 billion unremitted oil revenue, $7.1 billion in questionable crude oil swap deals, and ₦2.68 trillion missing as flagged by the Auditor-General. The press briefing also reignited calls for accountability over the alleged theft and illicit sale of 48 million barrels of Bonny Light crude in 2015, when Kyari was GGM, Crude Oil Marketing.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Dr. Agaba Iduh Fidel, National Publicity Secretary of the CNCSOs, accused the NNPCL of operating with impunity and evading transparency, especially regarding the multi-billion-dollar refinery rehabilitation contracts and subsidy payments between 2015 and 2024.
“We are not fighting personalities; we are fighting a system that enables impunity. It is about the economic survival of Nigeria,” Dr. Fidel declared. “The dismissal of Mele Kyari and his team is not enough. Nigerians demand answers, recovery of looted funds, and diligent prosecution.”
The coalition outlined a seven-point demand which includes an independent forensic audit of NNPCL transactions from 2015 to 2024, a public judicial panel of inquiry with televised proceedings, full disclosure of Joint Venture (JV) cash call documents
Others are, a comprehensive investigation into the 48 million barrels crude oil theft, a probe into refinery contracts and fuel subsidy payments, an mmediate arrest of Mele Kyari and the sacked management team as well as prosecution of all individuals and entities found complicit.
The coalition warned that failure to act within 21 days would trigger mass nationwide and international mobilization, legal actions, and media campaigns. “We will escalate this battle for accountability to global platforms and anti-corruption institutions. The time for answers is now,” Fidel warned.
In a direct appeal to President Tinubu, the coalition commended his bold step in sacking Kyari but insisted that the real reform lies in rooting out the entrenched corruption network in the oil sector.
“Mr. President, a forensic audit and a courageous public probe are the real reforms Nigeria needs. A $1 trillion economy by 2030 cannot be built on a foundation of unaccounted trillions,” the coalition emphasized.
The CNPP and CSOs said they would not relent until Nigeria’s oil wealth is fully accounted for and those responsible for economic sabotage are brought to justice
