Nigerians Slam Analyst Dan Kunle Over Call for Full Privatization of Oil Sector, Criticism of Mele Kyari

Nigerians have fiercely criticized energy analyst Daniel Dayo Kunle, popularly known as Dan Kunle, for advocating the privatization of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and for disparaging the achievements of the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari.

Kunle, speaking as a guest on the online programme Diaspora Dialogues hosted by Professor Farooq Kperogi on Saturday, sparked public outrage with remarks many viewers described as biased and unfounded. He dismissed the ongoing rehabilitation of state-owned refineries as unnecessary and pushed for the sector’s complete privatization. He also questioned Kyari’s leadership capabilities, claiming he lacked the competence to manage NNPCL effectively.

However, his comments triggered an immediate backlash from Nigerians participating in the live session, who accused him of promoting private interests at the expense of national development.

Many commentators highlighted the significant reforms undertaken during Kyari’s tenure, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the commercialization and transformation of the NNPC into NNPCL, increased transparency through regular publication of audited financial reports, and major infrastructure projects like the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation and the AKK Gas Pipeline construction.

Several participants expressed fears that Kunle’s push for privatization could create monopolies in the sector, undermining national interests and limiting fair competition.

Quoting various contributions, participants credited Kyari with laying a strong foundation for sustainable reforms in the oil and gas industry — progress they urged the new NNPCL leadership to build upon.

A few of the reactions include:

• Samuel Aina: “Kyari championed the PIA, a game changer for Nigeria. The records are there.”

• Trat Olayinka: “It’s wrong to say NNPC didn’t complete any project under Kyari. The evidence proves otherwise.”

• Lanre Fasuan: “Even if you are not a fan of Kyari, you can’t deny his positive impact.”

• Iyabo Aina: “Kyari has tried his best; we must focus on supporting the new team to build on past successes.”

• Rufus Oluwadamiro: “Kyari’s transformation of the NNPC is undeniable and shouldn’t be diminished by politically motivated attacks.”

Many participants also denounced Kunle for injecting tribal sentiments into the discourse, warning that such divisiveness could derail genuine national progress.

As discussions continue, the overwhelming sentiment from the session was a call for objectivity, national unity, and support for leaders committed to reforms, rather than promoting divisive or self-serving narratives.