We are sad to inform you that Mohammad Barkindo, the secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) died unexpectedly.
Barkindo, 63, died late Tuesday, according to a representative for Nigeria’s petroleum ministry.
What Happened To OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo?
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo died at the age of 63. Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), confirmed his death in a tweet.
Mr. Kyari wrote in the early hours of Wednesday, “We lost our revered Dr. Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo.” He died about 11 p.m. yesterday, July 5, 2022.”
“His personal family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, OPEC, and the global oil community have all suffered a significant loss. “Arrangements for burial will be disclosed shortly.”
Following the NNPC GMD’s notification of his death, former senator Shehu Sani tweeted, “Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo, former GMD NNPC and till recently, @OPECSecretariat writer was honored yesterday.”
“He died at 11 p.m. yesterday. May Allah bestow Aljanna Firdausi on him. Amin. That is life’s ephemerality and transience.”
Mr. Barkindo recently visited President Muhammadu Buhari and the OPEC delegation in Abuja on Tuesday. According to an OPEC statement, the meeting was held in part to honor Barkindo’s two-term stint as OPEC secretary-general.
Mr. Buhari stated during the meeting, “Welcome back home!” and added, “We are proud of your great achievements at OPEC.” You effectively navigated the Organization through difficult obstacles.”
“I and my colleagues from the OPEC Secretariat are extremely honored by your audience. Mr. President, as well as the honorable Minister Sylva and other top executives of the Nigerian oil and gas industry,” Mr. Barkindo said.
He updated Mr. Buhari on the latest developments in the oil market. As well as the critical role the Declaration of Cooperation has played in stabilizing the global oil market over the last six years.
Mohammad Barkindo Death Has Stunned Everyone
Mohammad Barkindo’s unexpected death has stunned everyone. Just a day before, he was honored by Mr. Buhari, and the next day, we learned of his death.
The cause of his untimely demise is speculated to be a heart attack. Since there are no other choices to explain the unexpected demise. Another possibility is that he was engaged in a catastrophic accident or had a secret illness that he did not disclose.
A few hours before his death, the outgoing OPEC secretary-general made a lengthy address at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja.
He was supposed to leave OPEC later this month. Mr. Barkindo’s tenure as secretary-general was set to expire on July 31.
Nigeria became a member of OPEC in 1971. Last year, the country celebrated its 50th anniversary in OPEC.
Mr. Barkindo, a Nigerian, has headed the crude oil bloc since August 2016, guiding it through some of its most difficult moments, including the pandemic, when the oil price was impacted by falling demand.
Mr. Barkindo formerly commanded the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation and was the deputy managing director of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, It was a joint venture between the NNPC and major oil companies Shell, Total, and Eni.
Mohammad Barkindo Is Survived By His Wife And Children
Mohammad Barkindo was a married man with children, though he never talked much about them. We send our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family, who are in grief.
May God provide them the fortitude to withstand the pain of loss.
He was a great Nigerian politician with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ahmadu Bello University and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in 1991.
Prior to receiving his MBA, he obtained a master’s certificate in Petroleum Economics from Oxford University in 1988. He was also honored with an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Technology Yola.
OPEC expressed condolences to his family and stated that his death is a great loss to the whole OPEC Family, the oil sector, and the world society.