By Abubakar Yunusa
Professor Kailani Muhammed, an electrical engineer and Chairman of the British American Development Foundation, has urged Nigerians to support the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as it undergoes transformative reforms.
Speaking at the 2024 Special Graduation and Celebrations of Academic Excellence, held in collaboration with the International University (UPTEAG) in Abuja, over the weekend, Professor Kailani commended the NNPCL’s General Managing Director, Mele Kyari, for introducing unprecedented transparency and modernization to the organization.
Reflecting on his tenure at the NNPC, where he worked under seven Group Managing Directors, Professor Kailani said, “The NNPC today is not the NNPC of yesterday, where leaders could embezzle funds.
“There is now total automation, and the management has opened its books, including a full audit for 2023—something we haven’t seen in 25 years.”
He further praised the reforms brought about by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which have positioned NNPCL as an independent company capable of competing globally.
However, he warned that Nigerians must fully support these modernization efforts.
“We must ensure that the NNPCL management is backed as they reposition the company to compete favorably with international companies.”
Professor Kailani also lauded President Bola Tinubu for removing Nigeria’s longstanding fuel subsidy, a move previous administrations had been unable to execute.
He explained that the subsidy, intended to benefit the masses, had been exploited by smugglers and corrupt officials, leaving ordinary citizens without the intended relief.
“When you compare the global price of fuel, no country sells petrol at a rate as low as 2,000 naira in Nigeria,” he said.
Professor Kailani noted that fuel sold to independent marketers at 625 naira per liter often ends up smuggled across borders and sold at inflated rates of up to 1,600 naira.
He called on Nigerians to recognize the importance of the subsidy removal as part of broader economic reforms aimed at curbing smuggling and ensuring fair pricing.
Speaking on national security, Professor Kailani called on President Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s military and police forces.
While acknowledging their efforts, he emphasized that current measures were insufficient to restore peace in the country. He specifically called for the elimination of notorious bandit leaders like Turji Bello and his commanders within weeks.
Professor Kailani also advocated for the reinstatement of the Mobile Police Unit, which he described as “intelligent, closer to the people, and knowledgeable about the hiding places of criminals.”
He urged the federal government to better equip security forces to protect citizens and maintain law and order.
“We must come together to support the reforms that will help Nigeria compete globally, both in terms of economic and educational progress,” he said.
