**The Mystery of Aliko Dangote’s Feud with Nigerian Oil Regulators**
The scene is set at the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry, where financial interests mix with politics. A feud has erupted between Aliko Dangote, a business tycoon and owner of the Dangote Refinery, and oil regulators, sparking curiosity and confusion.
At the heart of the conflict are allegations of sabotage at the refinery’s facilities, accused of producing substandard diesel. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has pointed the finger at the company and cited a desire to establish a monopoly on the market.
In response, Aliko Dangote has publicly alleged that some officials of the regulatory agencies, including the NNPC, own blending plants abroad and are seeking to hamper his refinery’s operations by refusing to supply crude oil.
It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to defuse tensions and pave the way for a crude oil supply agreement to the Dangote Refinery. A breakthrough that marks a turning point in the dispute with complex political and economic ramifications.
NNPC Denials
In the face of these allegations, the NNPC has denied any form of sabotage and stressed its commitment as a shareholder in the refinery. Dapo Segun, Executive Vice President (Downstream) of the state-owned company, stressed that the NNPC had actively supported the Dangote Refinery, particularly as a holder of a 7.25% stake.
He also explained that the difficulties encountered in negotiating the crude oil supply were related to contractual issues common to business, and were in no way the result of any malice on the part of the NNPC.
Despite these statements, the mystery surrounding this quarrel persists, leaving doubts about the true motivations of the various actors involved. The saga has only just begun, and the outcome of this conflict promises to be full of twists and turns. The battle for control of the Nigerian oil industry is far from over.