The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed that powerful interests within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are still actively working against the success of his $20 billion refinery project.
Speaking at an investor forum in Lagos on Friday, May 2, Africa’s richest man expressed strong optimism about overcoming the opposition, stating his determination to press on with the fight.
According to Semafor, an international news outlet, Dangote said, “For a very, very long time, those who have profited massively from government-subsidised oil imports into Nigeria have been the ones trying to sabotage the $20 billion refinery in Lekki, Lagos.”
He went on to claim that these groups are also behind the resistance to President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies and are actively trying to frustrate the smooth operations of the refinery.
Despite the challenges, Dangote said he remains confident of victory, describing himself as a lifelong fighter. “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.
It will be recalled that the Dangote Refinery began petrol sales in September 2024, significantly reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.
