Groups Hail Dangote Refinery’s Impact, Warn Against Sabotage

Civil society organisations — the Employment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) and the Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GoDDI) — have applauded the Dangote Refinery for its transformative role in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The groups also issued a stern warning to industry players allegedly plotting to undermine the refinery’s operations.

In a joint statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, and signed by Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince (EUYI) and Comrade Igwe Ude-umanta (GoDDI), the refinery was described as a “bold, daring, and patriotic” investment that has disrupted the long-standing dominance of fuel importers and repositioned Nigeria as a producer — rather than merely a consumer — of refined petroleum products.

“The entire downstream oil sector equation changed for good and in the nation’s interest,” the statement read. “This development has freed Nigeria from the grip of oil import cartels and marked the country’s entry into the league of refined product exporters — a major step forward from our embarrassing reliance on imports.”

The groups accused the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), along with allied organisations such as the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), of orchestrating efforts to sabotage the refinery.

According to the groups, these actors are trying to protect their interests in the now-obsolete fuel importation business, which they claim flourished under the scrapped subsidy regime.

“These are people who became billionaires overnight without adding any value — profiteering at the expense of ordinary Nigerians. Now that the game has changed, they are crying foul.”

Addressing claims that the Dangote Refinery risks becoming a monopoly, the civil society organisations argued that any monopoly that benefits the public, reduces prices, creates jobs, and improves the economy should be seen as a ‘progressive monopoly.’

They pointed to the tangible impact already felt by consumers since the subsidy removal in May 2023. Prices of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which had surged to ₦1,700 and ₦1,020 respectively, have now dropped to ₦1,030 (AGO) and ₦855 (PMS), largely due to the refinery’s intervention.

“This price relief is a direct result of Dangote Refinery’s effort to supply locally and lower costs for Nigerians,” the statement noted.

The groups also criticized DAPPMAN’s previous claims that they could compete with Dangote through importation, asking why they are now complaining about falling prices.

“Nigerians welcome every price crash. We’ve endured enough from these cartels.”

They urged DAPPMAN and other stakeholders to abandon hostile tactics and instead engage in productive dialogue or develop their own refining capacities.

“DAPPMAN and others should consider building their own refineries or continue importing if they wish — but they must do so through fair and civil engagement, not sabotage. Any attempt to destabilise this progress could provoke widespread public backlash.”

The groups reaffirmed their support for the Dangote Group and its refinery project: “We urge the management of Dangote Refineries to remain focused, patriotic, and undeterred. The Nigerian people are solidly behind you.”