The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has taken a strong stance against the importation of substandard petroleum products, emphasizing that recent discussions on deregulation should not be misused to compromise Nigeria’s national interests. Responding to comments from Robert Dickerman, CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, who has defended his company’s move to blend petroleum products by framing it within the context of a “deregulated commodity market,” the Dangote refinery clarified that the integrity of the Nigerian energy sector must be protected. This came after claims surfaced about Pinnacle setting up a blending plant near Dangote’s facility in Lagos, potentially leading to the sale of inferior products to the public.
Dangote reiterated its long-standing advocacy for deregulation and industrialization, but stressed that such support is deeply rooted in the economic growth and safety of its citizens. The refinery firmly rejected the notion that the deregulation of the oil market should permit the entry of off-spec products or undermine local standards and interests. The organization emphasized its commitment to the health and safety of Nigerians, denouncing any attempt to prioritize profit over these values, thereby articulating a clear boundary in its support for a deregulated environment.
Dissecting Dickerman’s proposal, the refinery pointed out that his interpretation of deregulation was misguided. It noted various examples from the United States where protective measures are taken to safeguard local industries, including recent actions by President Biden to block foreign acquisitions of American enterprises and tariffs imposed on imported goods. Dangote highlighted how these actions align with national interests and questioned Dickerman’s advocacy for blending potentially adulterated products with their high-quality outputs for the Nigerian market. The refinery firmly rejected Dickerman’s overtures to extend its pipeline for such purposes, framing such actions as betrayal of public trust.
Concerns were raised regarding Pinnacle’s leasing of tank farms to an external company without retail outlets in Nigeria. The closeness of these farms to Dangote’s refinery led to speculation about the strategic motives behind this decision. In light of historical challenges in Nigeria’s refining sector—including sabotage and organizational inefficiencies—the Dangote refinery urged the country and its various stakeholders to unite in defending national economic independence. The assertion was made that Nigeria must choose between fostering local industries or allowing itself to be a passive recipient of subpar imported goods.
The refinery underscored the urgency of transforming Nigeria’s refining capacity and pointed out that for nearly three decades, cartels have hindered local oil production, making the nation overly reliant on imports. Emphasizing the importance of a self-sufficient energy sector for economic stability, Dangote committed to advocating policies that ensure a thriving industry that serves the interests of the Nigerian populace. Coupling this ambition with optimism about the forthcoming commissioning of the state-run refineries, it believed this would significantly enhance Nigeria’s refining capabilities and dispel misconceptions about monopolization.
As Nigeria edges toward strengthening its energy sector, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery expressed its readiness to compete under conditions that promote both innovation and quality within the industry. It remains focused on eliminating the importation of inferior petroleum products and enhancing the country’s self-reliance in this essential sector. With the anticipated inauguration of Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries on the horizon, the sentiments were that these developments would not only elevate Nigeria’s status as a petroleum hub in Africa but also pave the way for a more robust and sustainable economic future.
