In a dramatic escalation of public discontent, hundreds of Nigerians staged a protest at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja, demanding that the Saudi government impose a visa ban on Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The protest, which took place in early May 2025, was sparked by allegations that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL contributed to economic hardship in Nigeria, particularly through policies linked to fuel subsidy removal and rising petroleum prices. Demonstrators, comprising civil society groups, youth organizations, and concerned citizens, accused Kyari of mismanaging Nigeria’s oil sector, leading to skyrocketing fuel costs that have exacerbated inflation and poverty.
The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, calling for Saudi Arabia to bar Kyari from entering the country, citing his frequent travels to the Gulf nation for business and religious purposes. They argued that a visa ban would serve as a symbolic gesture of accountability, given Saudi Arabia’s influence as a major player in the global oil industry. The demonstration was largely peaceful but disrupted traffic around the embassy, prompting a heavy security presence to maintain order. Organizers of the protest claimed that Kyari’s tenure was marked by inefficiencies, including delays in refinery rehabilitation and opaque dealings in the oil sector, which they believe contributed to Nigeria’s economic woes.
The demand for a visa ban stems from a broader wave of public frustration with Nigeria’s economic challenges, including fuel prices that have surged to over ₦1,000 per liter in some regions following the subsidy removal in 2023. Kyari, who was replaced as NNPCL CEO in April 2025, has defended his record, arguing that global oil market dynamics and legacy issues in the sector were beyond his control.
The protest has drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting the call for accountability, while others view it as a politically motivated campaign to discredit Kyari and the APC-led government. The Saudi Embassy has not issued an official response to the demands, but diplomatic sources suggest that such a ban is unlikely, given the complexities of international relations and Kyari’s status as a private citizen. The protest underscores the growing tension between Nigeria’s citizens and its political elite as the 2027 elections approach.