Energy
Economic Conspiracy: Dangote Accuses IOCs Of Plotting Against Nigerian Refinery
. . . Laments As Regulator (NMDPRA) Continues To Grant Licences For Importation Of Banned Dirty Diesel, Jet Fuel
There appears to be a strategy of economic conspiracy against Nigeria and Africa being manifest in the oil industry with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) through concerted efforts to frustrate oil refineries in the domestic economy.
Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, levelled the accusation, at a one-day training programme for Energy Editors in Lagos.
He maintained that the IOCs in Nigeria were doing everything to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals.
According to Edwin, the IOCs are deliberately and willfully frustrating the refinery’s efforts to buy local crude by jerking up high premium price above the market price, thereby forcing it to import crude from countries as far as United States, with its attendant high costs.
In addition, Edwin lamented the activity of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in granting licences, indiscriminately to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country.
He said, “the Federal Government issued 25 licences to build refinery and we are the only one that delivered on promise. In effect, we deserve every support from the Government. It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 percent of our production, have been exported. We are calling on the Federal Government and regulators to give us the necessary support in order to create jobs and prosperity for the nation.”
According to him, “While the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are trying their best to allocate the crude for us, the IOCs are deliberately and willfully frustrating our efforts to buy the local crude. It would be recalled that the NUPRC, recently met with crude oil producers as well as refineries owners in Nigeria, in a bid to ensure full adherence to Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligations (DCSO), as enunciated under section 109(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“It seems that the IOCs’ objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails. It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or, they simply state that crude is not available. At some point, we paid $6 over and above the market price. This has forced us to reduce our output as well as import crude from countries as far as the US, increasing our cost of production…
“It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports Crude Oil and imports refined Petroleum Products. They (IOCs) are keen on exporting the raw materials to their home countries, creating employment and wealth for their countries, adding to their GDP, and dumping the expensive refined products into Nigeria – thus making us to be dependent on imported products. It is the same strategy the multinationals have been adopting in every commodity, making Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to be facing unemployment and poverty, while they create wealth for themselves at our expense. This is exploitation – pure and simple. Unfortunately, the country is also playing into their hands by continuing to issue import licences, at the expense of our economy and at the cost of the health of the Nigerians who are exposed to carcinogenic products.
“In spite of the fact that we are producing and bringing out diesel into the market, complying with ECOWAS regulations and standards, licences are being issued, in large quantities, to traders who are buying the extremely high sulphur diesel from Russia and dumping it in the Nigerian Market. Since the US, EU and UK imposed a Price Cap Scheme from 5th February, 2023 on Russian Petroleum Products, a large number of vessels are waiting near Togo with Russian ultra-high sulphur diesel and, they are being purchased and dumped into the Nigerian Market.
“In fact, some of the European countries were so alarmed about the carcinogenic effect of the extra high sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian Market that countries like Belgium and the Netherlands imposed a ban on such fuel being exported from its country, into West Africa, recently. It is sad that the country is giving import licences for such dirty diesel to be imported into Nigeria, when we have more than adequate petroleum refining capacity locally…”
Recall that in May, Belgium and Netherland adopted new quality standards to halt the export of cheap, low-quality fuels to West Africa, harmonising its standards with those of the European Union. These measures synchronise fuel export standards with the European domestic market, specifically targeting diesel and petrol with high sulphur and chemical content. Historically, these fuels, with sulphur content reaching up to 10,000 ppm, were exported at reduced rates to countries like Nigeria and other West African consumers.
Belgium’s Minister of Environment, Zakia Khattabi, announced that his country followed the Netherland, which in April 2023 also prohibited the export of low-quality petrol and diesel to West Africa via the ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Khattabi emphasised that the Netherlands’ decision to restrict dirty fuel exports had redirected the trade to Belgium, now used by oil producers and traders to export gasoline with excessively high levels of benzene and sulphur.
“For far too long, toxic fuels have been departing from Belgium to destinations including Africa. They cause extremely poor air quality in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon and are even carcinogenic,” said Khattabi.
In September 2017, an investigation by an international organisation, Public Eye revealed that polluted and toxic fuels were being exported on a large scale from the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam for export to African markets.
As much as a quarter of the petrol and diesel available in West Africa originates from the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. These fuels contain sulphur and other pollutants, such as cancer-causing benzene, in quantities up to 400 times the limits permitted in Europe.
The Netherlands and Belgium were enjoined to enforce regulations to shield millions of Africans from exposure to toxic fuels.
The decision of the NMDPRA in granting licenses indiscriminately for the importation of dirty diesel and aviation fuel has made the Dangote refinery to expand into foreign markets.
The refinery has recently exported diesel and aviation fuel to Europe and other parts of the world. The same industry players fought us for crashing the price of diesel and aviation fuel, but our aim, as I have said earlier, is to grow our economy.
He noted that because the refinery meets the international standard as well as comply with stringent guidelines and regulations to protect the local environment, it has been able to export its products to Europe and other parts of the world.
While appealing to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently intervene for speedy implementation of the PIA and to ensure the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians are protected.
He said, “Recently, the government of Ghana, through legislation has banned the importation of highly contaminated diesel and PMS into their county. It is regrettable that, in Nigeria, import licences are granted despite knowing that we have the capacity to produce nearly double the amount of products needed in Nigeria and even export the surplus.
“Since January 2021, ECOWAS regulations have prohibited the import of highly contaminated diesel into the region.”
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) shows that Nigeria’s gas production rose by about 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, while gas flaring declined by over 8 percent year-on-year.
An analysis of the commission’s gas production status reports for the first three months of 2025 and 2026 revealed that total gas output increased from 667.27 Billion Standard Cubic Feet (BSCF) in Q1 2025 to 687.09 billion scf in Q1 2026.
The increase of approximately 19.81 billion standard cubic feet represented a year-on-year growth of about 2.97 percent, highlighting continued slow but steady expansion in Nigeria’s gas sector amid the federal government’s push to deepen gas utilisation and monetisation.
In addition, the NUPRC figures had it that January 2026 gas production stood at 233.96 billion scf, compared to 236.32 billion scf in January 2025.
However, production rebounded strongly in the subsequent months, with February 2026 output rising to 212.62 billion scf from 199.68 billion scf in February 2025.
In the same vein, March 2026 production climbed to 240.51 billion scf, compared to 231.28 billion scf recorded in March 2025, making it the highest monthly production level in the period under review.
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At the same time, the data showed marked improvement in gas flare management. Total gas flared in Q1 2025 stood at 50.95 billion scf, compared to 46.83 billion scf in Q1 2026. The reduction of about 4.12 billion scf translated to a decline of roughly 8.1 percent year-on-year.
Similarly, average flare intensity improved significantly during the period. The average gas flare rate dropped from about 7.65 percent in Q1 2025 to approximately 6.81 percent in Q1 2026, indicating that a larger proportion of produced gas was captured for productive use rather than burnt off.
In the same vein, monthly flare rates for Q1 2025 were 7.92 percent in January, 7.94 per cent in February and 7.08 percent in March. For Q1 2026, the flare rates declined to 7.34 percent in January, 6.62 percent in February and 6.48 percent in March.
The data also revealed a significant shift in the structure of Nigeria’s gas production. Associated gas production, which is gas produced alongside crude oil, declined during the review period.
Total associated gas output fell from 370.28 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 332.82 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026. In contrast, non-associated gas production recorded substantial growth.
Non-associated gas output increased from 296.99 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 354.17 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026, suggesting increased contribution from standalone gas projects and dedicated gas developments, rather than reliance on oil-linked gas production.
Also, export gas sales recorded one of the strongest improvements during the quarter. The NUPRC data showed that export gas sales rose from 223.99 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 292.87 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026.
This represented an increase of about 68.89 billion standard cubic feet or approximately 30.75 percent year-on-year. Findings show that the increase was likely driven by stronger Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export performance and improved international demand for Nigerian gas supplies.
However, domestic gas sales weakened slightly during the same period. Domestic sales declined from 186.98 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2025 to 171.15 billion standard cubic feet in Q1 2026, representing a drop of roughly 8.5 percent.
This raised concerns regarding the adequacy of gas supply to Nigeria’s domestic market, especially for power generation and industrial use. Despite the decline in domestic sales, gas utilisation efficiency improved marginally due to lower flare volumes.
The improved flare metrics suggested that operators were more efficient in capturing and commercialising produced gas. According to the data, total utilised gas stood at 639.91 billion scf in Q1 2025 and 639.68 billion scf in Q1 2026, indicating relatively stable utilisation volumes despite higher production.
With proven gas reserves estimated at about 215.19 trillion cubic feet (TCF), Nigeria has in recent years increasingly prioritised natural gas as a transition fuel capable of supporting domestic energy needs, industrial growth, petrochemical expansion and export earnings.
The federal government has also intensified efforts to reduce routine gas flaring through stricter regulatory enforcement and commercialisation initiatives targeted at flare gas recovery, especially through the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP).
After the United States carried out what it described as defensive strikes in southern Iran, which put fresh question marks over the fragile ceasefire and ongoing peace talks between Washington and Tehran, oil prices spiralled on Tuesday.
The world is taken aback because the strikes came in the midst of hopes that both countries were nearing an agreement to end the three-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the free movement of oil shipments.
Consequently, from about $97 per barrel on Monday, global benchmark Brent crude futures rose by roughly 3.5 percent on Tuesday to around $100 per barrel.
According to reports, US forces struck missile-launch sites and other targets in southern Iran on Monday, even as the Donald Trump administration signalled that a peace agreement between the two sides could be close.
In a statement, the US Central Command said the attacks were defensive in nature. “US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces. Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said.
Reacting, Iran accused the United States of violating the ceasefire with the strikes. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks in the southern Hormozgan province, where Iranian media reported explosions early on Tuesday, amounted to a “gross violation” of the fragile ceasefire that has been in place for nearly seven weeks, according to Reuters.
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Both sides had earlier indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restore shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz, while giving negotiators 60 days to address more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Reports also indicated that Iranian negotiators had pushed for the proposed agreement to include the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets during talks held in Qatar.
The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has triggered a major oil supply shock, increasing the costs of fuel, fertiliser, and food globally. Iran had responded to the attacks by launching drones and missiles at Gulf states hosting US military bases.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, has remained significantly below normal levels since the conflict began.
Although diplomatic efforts are continuing, there are growing fears that the latest US strikes could further escalate tensions in the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.
The seventh gas liquefaction train of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited is on the verge of completion, having reached 92 percent of project stages.
The plant which aligns with existing trains at the company’s gas processing complex in Bonny Island, Rivers State, will propel Nigeria’s LNG production capacity with additional 8.0 million tons per annum (mtpa) from current 22 mtpa to 30 mpta upon completion.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NLNG, Adeleye Falade, made the revelation at a forum hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Lagos.
According to him, the $7.0 billion project driven by Saipem, Chiyoda, Daewoo continues to enjoy broad support from the presidency and industry regulators.
In a presentation delivered on his behalf at the event, Falade stated that the project has so far consumed a significant 120 million man hours out of the target 200 million man hours of mostly indigenous labour.
He also declared that the company has enhanced all safety measures on the construction site after recording two lost time on injury (LTI) incidents. He assured that the project contractors are prioritizing workplace safety as the project drives to pre-commissioning stages.
Mr Falade, whose presentation was delivered by Train 7 Project Manager, Ali Uwais, also noted that the Train 7 project has helped galvanize local investment in steel fabrication and galvanizing capabilities, pointing at the 4000 tons of steel already deployed in the project.
He also pointed to the spur effect in the domestic cable manufacturing industry, stating that all cables used in the project are manufactured in Nigeria. He, however, added that additional interventions are required to close quality gaps in the local manufacturing industry.
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In noting the urgent need for in-country standard accountabilities, Mr Falade challenged agencies and regulators in the manufacturing industry to rise to the plate of ensuring international competitiveness on product quality.’
In counting some of the interventions driven by the company to close capacity and capability gaps in the domestic industry, he noted that the NLNG is relentless in establishing centers of excellence in tertiary institutions in the country with the purpose of addressing human capacity deficits.
The Train 7 project alone, he pointed out, has facilitated the training of 13,000 Nigerians, bolstered community focused participation initiatives, and facilitated rapid infrastructure development in the host Bonny Island.
Mr Falade told the industry audience at the event that the real value of the Train 7 project must transcend site activities to capture capacity, facilities and infrastructure developed for the project.
He called on other players in the industry to contribute to building capacity, standards and quality that compete globally, adding that Train 7 proves that Nigeria can grow and develop to global standards.
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