Mele Kyari Biography: Age, Wife, Career, Achievements, and Personal Life in 2025

Mele Kolo Kyari, born on January 8, 1965, in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, is a distinguished geologist and the current Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Full Name	Mele Kolo Kyari
Date of Birth	January 8, 1965
Place of Birth	Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Education	B.Sc. in Geology and Earth Science, University of Maiduguri
Current Position	Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)
Previous Positions	Various roles within NNPC, including Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD)
National Honors	Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
Recent Awards	Outstanding Employer of The Year 2022 by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)

Early Life and Education

Kyari’s educational journey began at Government Community Secondary School in Biu, Borno State, where he studied from 1977 to 1982. He then pursued higher education at the University of Maiduguri, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Earth Science in 1987.

Career

Kyari commenced his professional career in 1991 as a Field Geologist with the Department of Geological Survey of Nigeria. He later joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as a Processing Geophysicist with Integrated Data Services Limited. Over the years, he held various significant positions within NNPC, including:

Exploration Geophysicist at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) in 1998.
Head of Production Sharing Contracts Management in the Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) in 2007.
General Manager, Crude Oil Stock Management in 2014.
Group General Manager, COMD in 2015.

In May 2018, Kyari was appointed as Nigeria’s National Representative to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). His leadership and expertise led to his appointment as the 19th Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC on July 7, 2019, succeeding Maikanti Baru. Under his stewardship, NNPC transitioned to a limited liability company, becoming NNPCL, with Kyari serving as its first GCEO.

Personal Life

Kyari’s journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry is inspiring. Reflecting on his 60th birthday, he shared his experiences of progressing from an Almajiri (Tsangaya) student to becoming the NNPCL boss, acknowledging the sacrifices of his family during his career.

Awards and Recognition

Kyari’s contributions have been recognized nationally:

Order of the Federal Republic (OFR): In October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred upon him this national honor. Wikipedia
Outstanding Employer of The Year 2022 Award: In April 2023, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) honored him with this award for his role in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and efforts in curbing crude oil theft.

FAQs About Mele Kyari

1. Who is Mele Kyari?

Mele Kolo Kyari is a Nigerian geologist and the current Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He has held various high-profile positions within the oil and gas industry and is known for his leadership and reforms in the sector.

2. When and where was Mele Kyari born?

He was born on January 8, 1965, in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

3. What is Mele Kyari’s educational background?

Mele Kyari earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Earth Science from the University of Maiduguri in 1987.

4. What is Mele Kyari’s role in NNPC?

He is the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He was appointed as the 19th Group Managing Director (GMD) in July 2019 and played a pivotal role in transitioning NNPC to NNPCL, a limited liability company.

5. What significant contributions has Mele Kyari made?

Transition of NNPC to NNPCL: He led the transformation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation into a limited liability company, making it a more competitive and transparent entity.
Curbing Crude Oil Theft: Under his leadership, significant progress was made in reducing crude oil theft in Nigeria.
Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): He was instrumental in implementing reforms under the PIA to boost transparency and efficiency.

6. Has Mele Kyari received any awards or honors?

Yes, he has received several recognitions, including:

Order of the Federal Republic (OFR): Conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022.
Outstanding Employer of the Year 2022 Award: Presented by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria for his efforts in reforming the oil and gas sector.

7. What is Mele Kyari’s personal life like?

Mele Kyari is known to be a family-oriented individual. He has spoken publicly about the sacrifices his family made to support his career. However, he maintains a low profile regarding his private life.

8. Is Mele Kyari married?

Yes, Mele Kyari is married, though details about his wife and family are not widely publicized to maintain their privacy.

9. What challenges has Mele Kyari faced in his career?

He has faced significant challenges, such as tackling corruption, crude oil theft, and ensuring the successful transition of NNPC to NNPCL amidst global and local industry pressures.

10. What is Mele Kyari’s vision for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry?

Kyari envisions an oil and gas industry that is more transparent, efficient, and competitive on a global scale. His leadership focuses on sustainability, reducing waste, and maximizing revenues for Nigeria.