Kyari Risks US Visa Ban Amid NNPCL Corruption Probe

Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), faces the risk of a U.S. visa ban due to an ongoing corruption probe into his tenure, which ended in April 2025.

The investigation, initiated by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and supported by international partners, centers on allegations of financial mismanagement, contract irregularities, and bribery within the NNPCL. Kyari, who led the state-owned oil company from 2019 until his replacement by Bashir Ojulari, has been accused of overseeing opaque deals that cost Nigeria billions of naira, particularly in the management of fuel subsidies and refinery rehabilitation projects.

The U.S. visa ban threat stems from provisions under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Act, which allows sanctions against individuals implicated in significant corruption or human rights abuses. Nigerian authorities have shared evidence with U.S. counterparts, prompting scrutiny of Kyari’s international travel status. The probe has intensified public anger, with protests at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Abuja demanding a similar visa ban, reflecting frustration over Nigeria’s economic challenges linked to the oil sector. Kyari has denied the allegations, asserting that his leadership stabilized oil production and attracted investments, including $17 billion in 2024.

The investigation has broader implications for Nigeria’s oil industry, which remains critical to the economy despite efforts to diversify. Critics argue that systemic corruption within the NNPCL has hindered transparency and efficiency, exacerbating fuel scarcity and price hikes. The probe has also sparked political debates, with some alleging that Kyari is being targeted to deflect attention from other government failures. The outcome of the investigation could lead to legal action against Kyari and other officials, while the U.S. visa ban threat underscores the international community’s growing focus on accountability in Nigeria’s oil sector. The situation remains fluid, with Kyari’s legal team preparing to challenge the allegations in court.