Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, has accused what he refers to as an “oil mafia” of attempting to sabotage his refinery project. Speaking at the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAN) and AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Nassau, The Bahamas, Dangote claimed this group is more formidable than drug cartels and has repeatedly tried to halt the project.
“Well, I knew that there would be a fight. But I didn’t know that the mafia in oil, they are stronger than the mafia in drugs,” Dangote stated.
When questioned about the origin of this group, he revealed, “Both. There is a local one and a global one. It is all mixed up. They tried all sorts but you know, I’m a person that has been fighting all my life. So, I think it’s part of my life to fight.”
Despite these challenges, Dangote expressed confidence in overcoming these obstacles with the support of the population and government. “I think we will end up winning because the population and the government will be on our side because what we are doing is right,” he asserted.
In January, the Dangote refinery commenced production, marking a significant achievement for the company and Nigeria. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel,” the group announced, calling it “a big day for Nigeria.”
The Dangote refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is set to transform Nigeria’s fuel landscape by reducing the country’s dependency on fuel imports. The refinery, spanning 2,635 hectares (6,500 acres) in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, represents an investment of approximately $19 billion.
Nigeria, despite being one of Africa’s largest oil producers and the continent’s leading economy, relies heavily on imported fuel and diesel due to insufficient refining capacity. Initially scheduled to open in 2021, the refinery was officially inaugurated by then-President Muhammadu Buhari last year.
With the refinery now operational, it is poised to be a game changer for Nigeria’s energy sector, bringing significant economic benefits and enhancing energy security for the nation.
