Lagos : Nigeria’s richest businessman Aliko Dangote has intensified his public dispute with the country’s fuel regulator, calling for a corruption investigation and warning that current policies are hurting local refining and the wider economy.
Dangote accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority of favouring imported fuel over locally refined products, a move he says is undermining domestic industry and weakening Nigeria’s energy security. He called for an official probe into the conduct of the regulator’s leadership, alleging that vested interests are working against local refineries.
At the centre of the dispute is the Dangote refinery in Lagos, one of the world’s largest single site oil refining projects. The refinery was built to reduce Nigeria’s long standing dependence on fuel imports, which drain foreign exchange and expose the economy to global price swings. Dangote says the facility has the capacity to supply a large share of Nigeria’s fuel needs if it is given fair access to crude oil and a supportive regulatory environment.
The regulator has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and has previously maintained that local refineries cannot yet meet the country’s total fuel demand. It has defended continued fuel imports as necessary to prevent shortages and price volatility.
The dispute has drawn wide attention because it reflects deeper structural problems in Nigeria’s oil sector. Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, the country still relies heavily on imported petrol and diesel due to years of underinvestment and inefficiencies in refining.
Dangote has warned that without clear policy support for local refining, Nigeria risks continued job losses, higher import bills and weaker investor confidence. He has stressed that transparency and consistency from regulators are crucial for the success of large scale industrial projects.
The government has not yet announced whether it will open a formal investigation into the allegations. Analysts say the way authorities respond could shape the future of Nigeria’s energy reforms and its push towards greater economic self reliance.