NNPC Refutes Allegations of Hindering Dangote Refinery Operations The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has firmly denied allegations that it attempted to obstruct the development and operations of the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
These claims have been described as illogical by the NNPC, given its 7.25% stake in the refinery. In recent months, tensions escalated between Aliko Dangote, the owner of the Dangote Refinery, and various Nigerian oil regulators.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) accused the refinery of producing substandard diesel and alleged that Dangote was trying to monopolize the market.
In response, Dangote claimed that regulatory officials, including those from the NNPC, were deliberately frustrating his efforts to secure crude oil supplies, suggesting that some officials had vested interests in blending plants abroad.
Addressing these accusations, Dapo Segun, the Executive Vice President (Downstream) of NNPC, stated, "Such claims are unfounded and against logical reasoning. NNPC has supported the Dangote refinery as a shareholder should. We’ve gone out of our way to ensure its success."
Segun further explained that the delays in reaching an agreement on crude supply were due to standard business negotiations. "Negotiations took days, but we reached conclusions. We’re running a business, and everything is according to the signed terms and conditions," he added.
The situation required the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who brokered peace between Dangote and the regulators. This mediation led to a crude supply deal for the Dangote Refinery and paved the way for the imminent rollout of fuel from the facility.
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