By Charles Maduka
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has said that those still working against the success of his refinery project are major oil marketers and traders, not the newly appointed leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
He made this clarification while commending President Bola Tinubu for assembling a competent leadership team at the NNPC. He specifically praised the appointments of Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Ahmadu Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dangote said he visited President Tinubu to express appreciation for the choice of a capable and professional management team at the NNPC, saying the individuals appointed have the experience and expertise needed to reposition Nigeria’s top energy institution.
According to Dangote, the team under Ojulari and Kida reflects the President’s intention to drive meaningful reform in the oil and gas sector.
“We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a \$1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability,” Dangote said.
Reacting to recent reports that he is still fighting for the survival of his \$20 billion refinery, Dangote explained that his comments were not aimed at the new leadership of the NNPC, which he said has so far been supportive.
He clarified that the individuals he described as “cabals” trying to sabotage the refinery project are some major oil marketers and traders opposed to the government’s reforms in the petroleum sector.
Dangote added that the current reforms introduced by the NNPC show a new commitment to transparency, efficiency, and accountability, and he expressed strong confidence in the ability of the new leadership to improve the energy sector.
He reaffirmed his company’s support for the federal government’s goals of making Nigeria energy secure and economically stronger.
He also repeated his earlier claim that certain individuals have long benefited from subsidised fuel imports and are now trying to derail the progress of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 percent sure I will win at the end of the day,” he said.
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