The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu has appointed the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, as Nigeria’s representative to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Ughamadu explained that the position required Kyari to lead Nigeria’s team to the OPEC Economic Commission Board which precedes the bi-annual meetings of the OPEC ministerial conference.
The board has the task of reviewing the global oil markets and make input from the perspectives of the individual member countries.
The NNPC spokesperson said Kyari may also be required to provide support to Kachikwu and the OPEC governor in the performance of Nigeria’s roles and participation in OPEC matters.
Kyari, a geologist, has prerequisite certification in petroleum economics and crude oil and gas trading has in the last 26 years, traversed the entire value chain of the petroleum industry posting resounding performance in all his assignments and duty posts.
According to the statement, under his watch, the crude oil marketing division has recorded noticeable transformation in the management and sales of the various Nigeria’s crude oil grades via an infusion of transparency and automation.
Ughamadu said the appointment is made by Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Head of Delegation to the OPEC conference and Minister of State for Petroleum.