By Atoyebi Nike
Energy expert Dan Kunle has defended the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, describing it as a transformative project that has reshaped Nigeria’s energy sector despite criticisms from petroleum marketers and unions.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kunle praised the refinery’s achievements, including one year of petrol production and the rollout of 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for nationwide fuel distribution. He criticised petroleum unions and marketers for failing to invest in domestic refining, accusing them of preferring imports and negotiations that left the country dependent on foreign supply.
“In the last two years, we have been talking, talking, talking. That is the problem of Nigeria: talk, no action. They could have mobilised capital and bought the government refineries, but they didn’t. Now, they see that the day has broken from darkness,” he said.
Kunle argued that Dangote’s operations bring transparency, competitiveness, and cost savings, noting that past fuel imports added at least ₦75 per litre through shipping and logistics. He dismissed claims that the refinery prioritises exports, calling such allegations “cheap blackmail,” and warned that persistent attacks could discourage future investors.
On infrastructure, Kunle said Dangote’s rollout of CNG trucks should be seen as a challenge to expand roads and energy infrastructure, urging the government to complement private-sector efforts.
His defence comes days after Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, accused powerful interests in the petroleum sector of attempting to frustrate his refinery, likening the opposition to the collapse of Nigeria’s textile industry. He alleged that both international traders and local marketers preferred imports because of higher profits, warning that resistance could derail Nigeria’s quest for energy independence.
The refinery remains locked in disputes with industry groups, including the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which shut down depots after accusing the refinery of barring its drivers from union membership. Similarly, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) accused Dangote Refinery of distorting the market by selling petrol to international traders at N65 cheaper than to local buyers.
Kunle, however, insisted that the refinery represents a “national breakthrough,” urging government and stakeholders to support the project rather than undermine it.
