Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote has voiced concerns about alleged sabotage in the country’s downstream oil sector. Speaking to journalists, Dangote—Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group—cited multiple incidents of sabotage at both his own refinery and public refineries, warning that organised cartels pose a significant threat to the sector, likening them to drug mafias.
He recounted specific cases of theft and vandalism at his Lekki refinery, including the removal of spare parts from a 400‑ton boiler, and estimated that his company has lost around $82 million to theft and sabotage. Dangote also highlighted the destruction of pipeline infrastructure across the country, alleging that depots from Kano to other states have been deliberately sabotaged.
The Dangote Refinery, commissioned in May 2023, has experienced a series of sabotage attempts—22 incidents since it began operations. To protect the facility, the company has employed over 2,000 security personnel, more than the number of operational workers. Despite these measures, Dangote warned that sabotage and theft remain a significant challenge for the oil sector and called for greater awareness and action, emphasizing that the issue is critical to national economic security.
The allegations have sparked concern among industry stakeholders and regulators. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) previously raised issues over worker treatment, including the dismissal of around 800 workers from the Dangote Refinery, which triggered a temporary strike as employees claimed they were targeted for union activities.
Stakeholders are urging the Nigerian government to take decisive action to combat sabotage and theft, calling for increased transparency and accountability to ensure the long‑term sustainability of the oil industry, which is vital to the country’s economy.
Comments are closed for this story.