Nigerian-born Opec secretary-general Muhammad Barkindo passes away aged 63

NIGERIAN-born secretary general of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo passed away during s brief visit to the country yesterday evening in a shock development.

Dr Barkindo, 63, who runs the affairs of the oil-producers' cartel from Geneva, had been in a brief visit to Nigeria. Earlier on yesterday, he visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja but by 11pm in the evening he had given up the ghost.

Mele Kyari, the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), announced the news this morning. Mr Kyari said Mr Barkindo’s demise was a great loss to Nigeria, Opec, his family and the international community.

He tweeted: “We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11 pm 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.”