Obasanjo accuses cabal of frustrating Dangote Refinery

By Sunday Onye, Senior correspondent

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns that certain individuals profiting from Nigeria’s fuel importation sector may be attempting to undermine the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This comes after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, accused “mafias” of trying to sabotage his $20 billion refinery project.

Obasanjo suggested that if the refinery succeeds, it could boost investment in Nigeria. However, he noted that those who stand to lose from the refinery’s success may try to frustrate its progress.

The Dangote Group has faced challenges, including international oil companies refusing to sell crude oil or charging high prices. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority has also been accused of issuing licenses for importing contaminated fuel.

Obasanjo criticized Nigeria’s focus on oil, neglecting opportunities in gas and agriculture. He recalled attempting to persuade Shell to operate Nigeria’s refineries, but the company refused due to corruption in the sector.

The former president also criticized President Bola Tinubu’s approach to removing fuel subsidies, arguing that the administration should have considered the potential hardships and ways to alleviate them.