Nigerian Forum Voices Concern over Dangote Refinery Controversies

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised concerns over the ongoing national and international controversies surrounding the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Industrial Free Zone Enterprise (DPRPI).

According to a statement by Prof. Tanko Muhammad-Baba, ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, the forum highlighted that Dangote, a prominent Nigerian brand recognized globally, has made significant contributions to the economy by providing products, services, and employment opportunities in Nigeria and beyond.

The DPRPI, located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, is a world-class, highly automated facility that produces various petroleum products and chemical fertilizers for both domestic and international markets. Given the scale and impact of the refinery, the ACF was not surprised that it has become a target of envy, controversy, and even sabotage from competing interests.

In response to ongoing criticisms, a delegation from the ACF visited the DPRPI complex on July 30, 2024, to gain firsthand knowledge of the facility. The delegation was impressed by the refinery’s advanced quality testing and control laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that meet and surpass global industry standards.

Following the visit, the ACF declared that the DPRPI should be a source of national pride, rather than the subject of negative press and misinformation. The forum commended Aliko Dangote, the visionary entrepreneur behind the refinery, for his courageous efforts to industrialize Nigeria.

The ACF also condemned the attempts by some oil-related public and business entities, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), to undermine the DPRPI through misinformation. Additionally, the forum expressed concern over international efforts to de-market the refinery, viewing it as an attempt by global oil interests to challenge a successful Nigerian enterprise led by an African.

The forum welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the NNPCL to supply crude oil to the DPRPI and other refining entities, describing it as a commendable decision that demonstrates foresight and good judgment. The ACF also called on other entrepreneurs and investors to follow the example set by the DPRPI initiative and urged public regulatory agencies to support the aspirations of indigenous entrepreneurs seeking to invest in Nigeria’s industrial development.

Finally, the forum called on the Nigerian government and other African nations to deploy diplomatic influence and policy resources to resist attempts to deny their right to industrialize and develop.