Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has publicly accused powerful “cabals” within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector of actively working to undermine the operations of his $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Despite these challenges, Dangote remains resolute, stating, “We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day” .
The refinery, which began producing petrol in September 2024, is designed to process 650,000 barrels per day, aiming to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel needs and reduce reliance on imports. However, Dangote has highlighted that these “cabals” have funded resistance to the government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating smoothly in the country .
In addition to Dangote’s assertions, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns about these groups, suggesting that individuals profiting from Nigeria’s fuel importation sector may seek to undermine the refinery’s success to protect their interests .
Despite these obstacles, Dangote remains optimistic about the refinery’s future, emphasizing its significance not just for Nigeria but for the broader Sub-Saharan African region. He has also initiated legal action against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), alleging that the agency is unlawfully issuing import permits, thereby hindering the refinery’s operations .
The Dangote Refinery’s challenges underscore the complexities of Nigeria’s energy sector, where entrenched interests and regulatory hurdles can impede efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency.