Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarms over potential sabotage of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, asserting that individuals profiting from Nigeria’s fuel importation industry may be working to undermine the $20 billion project. This follows claims by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who accuses certain ‘mafias’ of attempting to sabotage his investment.
Obasanjo expressed that the success of the refinery could encourage increased investment in Nigeria from both local and international sources. However, he pointed out that international oil companies might be obstructing the refinery’s operations by either refusing to sell crude oil or charging above-market prices.
The Dangote Group has also alleged that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority is complicating their efforts by issuing licenses for importing contaminated fuel. The NMDPRA has denied these allegations, suggesting instead that Dangote’s diesel quality is inferior compared to imported alternatives.
Obasanjo further criticized Nigeria’s historical focus on oil, neglecting the potential of gas and agriculture. He recalled his own attempts to involve Shell in the management of Nigeria’s refineries, which were rejected due to corruption and poor maintenance. Additionally, he challenged President Bola Tinubu’s handling of fuel subsidy removal, arguing that the administration should have better addressed the resulting economic hardships.
