Abuja: Mohammed Barkindo (63), the Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has died. OPEC and Nigerian officials confirmed the death of Barkindo, a Nigerian, on Tuesday night. Hours before his death, he met with the Nigerian president and spoke in favor of the energy industry, which has been blamed for climate change.
The cause of his sudden death is unclear. Barkindo’s second term as OPEC chairman since 2016 was due to end on July 31. Barkindo’s last words to his friends were that he was happy to end his tenure as Secretary General, that he had done all he could and was proud of those he worked with.
He led the organization through one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history. One of the major crises was the plunge in fuel prices and demand during the Covid pandemic. Despite the clamor of climate change, he has strongly advocated the need for more investment in oil production until alternative energy sources become widespread.