The outgoing Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo died at the age of 63. The news of his demise was disclosed by Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, via his Twitter handle on Wednesday morning.
According to the NNPC GMD,
We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11pm yesterday 5th July 2022. Certainly a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community. Burial arrangements will be announced shortly.
— Mele Kyari (@MKKyari) July 6, 2022
Barkindo whose tenure as OPEC Secretary-General would have ended July 31, was recently celebrated by President Muhammadu Buhari for his good service.
According to the president, “You have indeed been a worthy ambassador of our country.
“We are proud of your achievements before and during your appointment at OPEC and the proud legacies you will leave behind.
“Your time in charge of the affairs of OPEC has been a very challenging one for the global oil industry.”
Described as one of the giants in the oil and gas world, Barkindo's career spanned over four decades. He held top positions at the NNPC, Duke Oil, Nigeria’s foreign ministry and energy ministry, as well as OPEC.
