Hands Off Dangote Refinery, Civil Groups Warn Fuel Import Cartels

Hands Off Dangote Refinery, Civil Groups Warn Fuel Import Cartels

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Two civil society groups; the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON); have accused fuel import cartels and their alleged government allies of sabotaging the Dangote Refinery and undermining Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.

At a joint press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the presidents of the two bodies, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere of BAVCCA and Hussaini Abubakar of COCSON, issued a seven-day ultimatum to what they described as “economic saboteurs” behind campaigns aimed at discrediting Nigeria’s new refining capacity.

They insisted the refinery had exceeded national demand and should not be undermined by policies favouring importers. According to the groups, as of November 18, the refinery was dispatching over 104 million litres of refined products daily; significantly above the country’s estimated 70–75 million-litre consumption.

They dismissed claims that the refinery was underperforming, describing recent comments attributed to PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo as “misleading and contrary to verified data.”

The groups also criticised the federal government’s suspension of the 15 per cent import duty on petroleum products, arguing that it places locally refined fuel at a disadvantage.

“This is not relief; it is sabotage,” they said, adding that the policy shift makes imported fuel cheaper and threatens the viability of domestic refiners.

BAVCCA and COCSON alleged that a “powerful cartel of importers and oil traders” is determined to sustain a profitable fuel-import structure. They questioned why large volumes of fuel were still being imported when, according to them, local supply is sufficient.

They warned that those sponsoring what they called “anti-Dangote narratives” must halt such actions before November 25 or face a public “naming and shaming campaign.” The groups said they had submitted petitions to the Presidency, EFCC, ICPC, DSS and the National Assembly demanding investigations.

They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ban fuel importation entirely, allow only locally refined products in the domestic market, and set up a special task force to probe alleged acts of economic sabotage.
“The Dangote Refinery is not Aliko Dangote’s personal investment; it is a national asset. Nigerians will defend it,” the groups said.

The briefing also highlighted the upcoming Energy Truth Summit scheduled for November 22 in Abuja, which will feature data presentations, a fact-checking tool, a digital creators’ toolkit, and an interactive town hall. The organisers said the summit aims to expose what they called entrenched interests in the sector and is expected to draw over one million virtual participants.