President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has praised the new leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), describing their support as instrumental to the progress of his $20 billion refinery project.
In a statement released following his visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dangote expressed confidence in the team led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Non-Executive Chairman Ahmadu Musa Kida, commending President Tinubu for assembling what he described as a capable and professional leadership.
Dangote clarified that his recent remarks about fighting for the survival of the refinery and confronting entrenched interests in the oil sector were not aimed at the current NNPC leadership. “The new management at NNPC Ltd has been supportive in addressing the company’s needs,” he said.
His comments come amid a backdrop of past tensions between Dangote and the former NNPC leadership under Mele Kyari. The previous administration had been criticized for insufficient crude supply to the Dangote Refinery under a naira-for-crude arrangement, which had been approved by President Tinubu to support local refineries. The Dangote facility, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and located in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, was used as the pilot project for the initiative.
There had also been reports of a pricing standoff between Dangote and the NNPC, raising concerns about transparency in the petroleum sector.
However, Dangote lauded the new Ojulari-led management, which assumed office on April 4, 2025, for its commitment to reform, transparency, and professionalism. He emphasized that the “cabals” he referred to in previous statements are major oil marketers and traders who are allegedly working to undermine government efforts to revamp the economy.
He added that recent reforms introduced by NNPC Ltd under the new leadership indicate a renewed focus on operational efficiency and accountability.
“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” Dangote stated.
He also said his visit to President Tinubu was to commend him for putting together a team with the technical and managerial expertise required to reposition Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
According to Dangote, the current leadership reflects the President’s vision of reforming the energy sector and supporting the broader goal of building a $1 trillion economy.
“We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability,” he concluded.
