Many Nigerians on social media have lambasted Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd, for embarking on Umrah in Saudi Arabia amid lingering fuel scarcity at home.

There has been a shortage of premium motor spirit, otherwise known as petrol, in major cities across Nigeria for nearly two weeks.

Many filling stations shut out their customers as black market booms, selling a litre of the product as high as ₦1,200 in Lagos State, further exacerbating economic hardships in Africa’s largest oil producer.

While Nigerians are passing the night at filling stations in search of petrol, Kyari, the head of the corporation responsible for the supply of the product, embarked on a religious tour to Madina, Saudi Arabia.

“Met my beloved brother and teacher Mufti Menk while transiting to Madina Munawara (the city of the Rasool) in Addis Ababa. He reminded me of the sufficiency of Allah in all circumstances, that both good and bad are trials from Allah to establish the people of faith. May Allah accept our submission to His will and continue to be faithful to our country and follow our leaders unconditionally,” Kyari posted on his X account late Tuesday evening.

However, the post has generated thousands of reactions as Nigerians questioned the priority of the NNPC boss amid national emergency.

“A leadership role was bestowed upon you, but you completely let your people down and failed them, putting them through a lot of stress and frustration. Do you fear Allah? How do you feel inside, and what will you tell Allah when you face Him?” Mohammed Oluwanisola commented on Kyari’s post.

“You would likely receive greater rewards for addressing the fuel scarcity in Nigeria than for taking a sightseeing trip to the Holy Land,” another X user, Gidado, said.

“As a leader, it’s essential to prioritize the organization’s pressing issues and demonstrate sensitivity to the current situation.. than social life style,” Adebowale Joseph said.

“Very wrong timing.. People are going through stress and hardship because of the petrol scarcity. The least you could have done is post this picture when everything is easy. Facing Allah when people kept under your care are bereaved?” Adebowale Adebambo said.

“Hummm, Mele, you are the head of the agency responsible for supplying fuel to Nigerians. You’re not at the depot or on the streets to tell Nigerians what’s going on; rather, you’re showing us the beautiful airport with your luggage,” Alli-Balogun Lekan commented.

“You lack emotional intelligence to be tweeting this when Nigerians are groaning for lack of fuel.

What is wrong with you guys, for heaven’s sake?

How does this your tweet benefit Nigerians?

Are you guys even ok at all?” Kayode Okunola fumed.

“Nigerians are experiencing one of the worst fuel scarcities of all time and the people responsible for this situation are all out of the country.

The Minister of Petroleum is somewhere in France and now the head of the agency responsible for PMS importation is also out,” another X user, Johnson, lamented. (BusinessDay: Text, Excluding Headline)

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