By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Abuja, Nigeria – A coalition of civil society organisations operating under the banner of the Civil Society Alliance for Transparency and Development (CSATD) has announced plans to commence an indefinite protest at the National Assembly from Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
The coalition said the protest is aimed at compelling what it described as a comprehensive and transparent investigation into allegations of financial misconduct involving former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and members of his former management team.
In a statement signed by its Convener and National Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Basah, the coalition accused public institutions of failing to provide satisfactory answers to a series of allegations relating to refinery rehabilitation projects, crude-for-fuel arrangements, revenue deductions, crude-backed financing transactions and other financial matters associated with the national oil company.
According to the coalition, corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development, worsening poverty, unemployment and economic hardship across the country. CSATD cited figures from the National Bureau of Statistics indicating that millions of Nigerians continue to face multidimensional poverty, arguing that the nation’s economic challenges cannot be separated from concerns about accountability in the management of public resources.
The group pointed to previous corruption investigations involving high-profile public officials and insisted that allegations involving the former NNPCL leadership deserve the same level of scrutiny. It specifically referenced claims that approximately $2.956 billion was committed to refinery rehabilitation projects and argued that Nigerians deserve a full public accounting of how such funds were utilised.
CSATD expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of legislative and institutional responses to the allegations, accusing relevant authorities of allowing critical investigations to stall without clear outcomes. The coalition questioned the status of inquiries previously announced by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts and called for greater transparency regarding the handling of the matter.
The organisation also raised concerns over reported disagreements within the Senate concerning measures proposed to compel appearances by key individuals linked to the investigations. According to the coalition, such developments have created public perceptions that accountability efforts are being weakened.
In addition, CSATD urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to publicly clarify the status of any investigations relating to the allegations.
The coalition announced that protesters would converge daily at the National Assembly complex and continue their demonstrations until what it described as “credible and satisfactory action” is taken by the Senate, EFCC, ICPC and other relevant authorities.
“As law-abiding citizens, we have chosen the path of peaceful civic engagement. If these concerns continue to be ignored, we will sustain our protest until Nigerians receive clear answers on issues affecting the management of national resources,” the statement said.
CSATD further disclosed that invitations have been extended to numerous civil society organisations, youth groups, professional bodies and transparency advocates across the country to participate in what it described as a nationwide campaign for accountability, transparency and good governance.
The planned protest is expected to place renewed public attention on demands for greater transparency in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum sector and could intensify pressure on lawmakers and anti-corruption agencies to publicly address outstanding allegations surrounding the former NNPCL leadership.
