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| Aliko Dangote |
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that a friend who began investing abroad four years ago has been mocking him over his recent challenges with the Nigerian government.
Dangote has faced several issues with the government regarding his refinery project in Lagos.
He previously shared how a cabal was obstructing his efforts to import crude oil, making it difficult to obtain products and slowing down operations.
Last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that the Dangote refinery has not yet been licensed to commence operations in Nigeria.
Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of NMDPRA, made this disclosure while speaking to journalists at the State House on Thursday.
Ahmed refuted claims that efforts were being made to hinder the refinery's operations due to a lack of crude oil supply from International Oil Companies, stating that the refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.
Ahmed also claimed that Dangote's diesel product did not meet international standards, a statement which Dangote disputed during an interactive session over the weekend.
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Dangote recounted how a friend he had encouraged to be patriotic about Nigeria is now taunting him.
“Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began investing his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to reconsider for the sake of our country. He blamed his decision on policy inconsistencies and the actions of interest groups. That friend has been mocking me recently, saying he warned me and has been proven right,” Dangote said.
He emphasized that his investment in the refinery project was to help address a major issue in Nigeria, questioning why some individuals were opposing him.
“As you probably know, I am 67 years old. In less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is for the benefit of my country.”
“We have been facing a fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help resolve the problem, but it seems some people are uncomfortable with my involvement. So I am ready to step aside, let the NNPC buy me out, and run the refinery.
“This refinery can help resolve the problem, but it seems some people are uncomfortable with my involvement. So I am ready to step aside, let the NNPC buy me out, and run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs,” he added.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which became operational last year after a decade of construction, cost $19 billion—more than double the initial estimate. It promises to help Africa’s largest oil producer reduce its reliance on imported fuel and save up to 30 percent of the foreign exchange spent on imports.
