Business

Dangote: The Monopoly We All Need By Mary Odoma

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2024

Dangote: The Monopoly We All Need
By Mary Odoma

There seems to be a huge partition between Nigerian industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other Nigerian economy drivers. His visionary gait and purposefulness are fixated on recreating the essentials required to prop up the depleting economic fortune of Nigeria amidst contending voices.

Since 1977, when he ventured into business, trading in agricultural commodities and engaging in business supplies such as sugar and cement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has never looked back. In 1981, he incorporated his numerous businesses, which eventually became a conglomerate. Today, the Dangote Group of Companies is a household name in Nigeria and beyond.

The holding company’s interest became so massive that its positive economic impact within Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa became profound, edging out numerous foreign products from the West African domestic market. A strong advocate of industrialization, Alhaji Dangote believes that dependence on the importation of finished products to Africa simply translates to the importation of poverty and the exportation of jobs.

So, when the idea of the Dangote refinery was first announced in 2013, it was indeed heartwarming news to Nigerians. Although construction of the world’s biggest single-train refinery began in 2017, there were prospects that its completion would end Nigeria’s energy crises and reliance on fuel importation.

In 2013, the refinery project was estimated to cost the Dangote Group a whopping $9 billion. However, by the time construction work began in 2017, the cost had risen to about $15 billion. Despite this disparity in estimated cost, the Dangote Group went ahead with the construction work, which was estimated to be completed in 2019. Regrettably, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the completion date was further shifted, and the date for commissioning was scheduled for the first half of 2021, but the 2021 date could not work due to unforeseen circumstances.

In all, at commissioning in the second quarter of 2023, precisely on May 23, construction of the refinery had gulped nearly $20 billion. It is an understatement to assert that building an efficient oil refinery facility has been at the heart of the debate over energy, forex, and fiscal policies in Nigeria for the last 50 years. This is because Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries, with a cumulative capacity of about 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), have been moribund for decades.

This meant that Nigeria exports its oil in crude form and imports refined oil with scarce foreign exchange. The attendant implication, therefore, was the emergence of the fuel subsidy regime, which was bad for Nigeria’s economic prospects. The regime led to the worsening state of the nation’s budget deficits as Nigeria’s debt profile increased with gloomy economic growth indices.

Against this background, several analysts drew up conclusions that the backlash received by the Dangote Group for daring to embark on such a massive project was an attempt to monopolise the economic benefits of the oil sector. Those naysayers had labelled the magnificent single-train refinery complex as a needless monopoly.

They orchestrated attacks and employed subversive antics just because they felt that the coming onstream of the Dangote multi-billion-dollar single-train refinery complex, the largest in the world, would finally put an end to their sordid business activities, which have held the nation’s economic lifeline hostage for more than five decades.

These few individuals are the fuel subsidy racketeers who have had their hands soiled in humongous scale corruption, diversion of the nation’s resources from critical sectors of the economy, as well as sharing profits of such loots amongst themselves and cronies in an inequitable manner.

Good enough, the multi-million-dollar Dangote refinery is here to bring the Nigerian dream to fruition. The refinery would meet 100% of all refined products required in Nigeria and a surplus for export. Though designed to process Nigerian crude, the refinery can also process most other African crude grades as well as Middle Eastern Arab light and even US Light.

The target is that, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude per day, 450,000 bpd will be dedicated to meeting Nigeria’s domestic requirement. This means a total rejuvenation of the nation’s economy. Although the refinery has started with the production of diesel and aviation fuel, the sorting news is that the waiting game is over, the jinx has been broken.

It is instructive to admit that the import of the Dangote refinery coming on stream at this time is beyond the potential positive changes Nigeria’s economic indicators would witness in a few months. The positive impact of the multi-billion-dollar refinery would ultimately reflect directly on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves by reducing the pressure on the nation’s balance of payment.

This means that under President Tinubu, Nigeria would save trillions of naira and billions of dollars. For instance, between 2022 to 2023 alone, Nigeria spent over $70 billion on the importation of petroleum products, fertilizer, and petrochemicals, according to Africa Economy Digest.

Whatever the perception may be, Nigeria is at a crossroads. The country’s gloomy economic indicators that have remained a burden over the years are set to fizzle out for the better as the massive Dangote single-train world’s largest refinery debuts in the oil and gas sector.

Unfortunately, the reactive response of subsidy racketeers almost swayed the government’s decision on policies concerning the sale of Nigerian crude to local refineries, but thank goodness, the tide has assumed a positive dimension with recent impressive turns of events.

The evolving trend in the petroleum sector is what Nigeria requires to move forward; significantly, the feared Dangote refinery monopoly is what Nigeria as a nation requires now to thrive economically. This assertion is made more profound because the multi-billion-dollar refinery would, aside from saving the naira, make available vital raw materials of a wide range for manufacturers in the plastic, pharmaceuticals, food, beverages, construction, and other industries with massive job opportunities.

Candidly, the Dangote refinery is an ambitious move that has highlighted Nigeria’s potential for economic self-reliance. The $20 billion single-train Dangote refinery was envisioned to revolutionize the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Expectedly, the journey has not been without the usual criticism, with people raising questions about the rationale behind embarking on such a massive project in a developing and tottering economy.

The aim was basically to demonize the good intentions of the Dangote Group and its vision for Nigeria’s future. The hurting criticism was targeted at labelling the Dangote Group as shrewd capitalists whose target is to monopolize the Nigerian oil-based economy and beyond. However, the Dangote Group’s objective is clear; its intentions are not ambiguous. It is rather a blessing to the nation with the sole aim of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on the importation of refined petroleum products.

By refining petroleum products domestically, the Dangote refinery aims to enhance energy sufficiency, creating jobs, and spurring economic growth. Dangote refinery stands as a testament to Nigeria’s industrial ambitions and the complex interplay of business strategy, economic policy, and national interest.

No doubt, the Dangote refinery would, in no small measure, offer dividends similar to those from the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) investment, which has consistently provided returns despite initial scepticism. Furthermore, aside from boosting economic activities in the country, there will be revenue accruing to the government through taxes, royalties, and levies as the refinery comes on stream.

At least 144 products out of about 6000 products will be extracted in the process of refining petroleum. This means the value chain of refined petroleum products is very long and can stimulate a lot of businesses. Also, the multi-billion-dollar refinery would serve as a foreign exchange earner.

Industry experts projected that Nigeria could spend up to $30 billion in one year if the country continues to rely on imported petroleum products, an outrageous amount that can cripple the nation economically. Therefore, to save the nation from drifting completely to the precipice, the multi-billion-dollar refinery will boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange rate stability through the export of refined products.

Succinctly put, the coming on stream of the Dangote refinery is a game-changer that Nigeria so needs at this time. The refinery would not only change the economic narratives in Nigeria but the entire continent of Africa. Aliko Dangote has turned the tide towards a prosperous future for the continent. Indeed, this is a monopoly we most need and desire.

Odoma is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

Business

NNPCL and Corruption’s Final Throes

Published

3 days ago

August 16, 2025

Sahara Weekly

NNPCL and Corruption’s Final Throes

By Pius Olasanmi

In the twilight of the Obasanjo administration, when Nigerians were still capable of being outraged, when Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of refineries was a buzzword that still held some mysticism to bamboozle citizens, during a conversation, a certain man said something profound. The man said, “As a businessman, if I were the owner of these refineries, knowing that they are three decades old, I would take the last money I have, hire bulldozers, raze them to the ground, and obtain loans to build new ones.”

When we pressed him further on why he would engage in such waste, he explained that repairing the refineries is the real waste. He explained that even if the TAM were honestly carried out, a thirty-year-old refinery would never compete favourably with a new one that would integrate contemporary technology. Operating at its best, such a refinery would never be comparatively more efficient. It is therefore pointless to have spent another one naira on the refineries at that point.

A few months later, I had a conversation with a then-lawmaker on an entirely different matter. I mentioned that the National Assembly has failed by not crafting legislation that would criminalise and punish public office holders who foist wrong decisions on the country. The logic: a public office holder need not steal to be punished, wrong decisions should attract penalties for an office holder who opts for the worst of all options when there are less injurious ones.

These established premises speak to the ongoing nauseating efforts at revisionism by those who wrecked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its previous iteration, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Notably, this campaign to rewrite history is traceable to Engineer Mele Kolo Kyari, the disgraced immediate past Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL and his hirelings. They have suffocated the news and the public opinion space with even more lies than they spun while in office.

The Saint Kyari campaign is anchored on convincing Nigerians that the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries were fully functional when he was booted out of office. So brazen is the campaign that one of its talking heads challenged the group chief executive officer (GCEO), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to “inform Nigerians categorically what happened to the functioning refineries he inherited from his predecessor, Engr. Mele Kyari.” The effrontery.

We have not forgotten so soon the charade that followed the baffling claim that Nigeria has spent $2.8 billion on the repair of the refineries, while they are not churning out even a single litre of refined product among them. Saint Kyari and his goons played all manner of tricks, all of which embarrassed President Bola Tinubu, who had counted on ticking off the return to productivity of the refineries as part of his achievements, only to realise that he was deceived into celebrating phantoms. Tragic.

Lest we forget, 200 trucks were arranged as props in a well-directed video clip to celebrate the re-streaming of the Port Harcourt Refinery. The disappointment. Nigerians were to learn from several reports that the Port Harcourt refinery was not producing and was instead using old, stored petroleum products to load trucks. Worse still, the Kyari crew was passing off sanction-tainted Russian-sourced crude oil refined in Malta as locally refined products. More insult was piled on the assault on our collective sensibility with the lies that the Port Harcourt Refinery exported semi-finished products. Brazen.

Meanwhile, Kyari and his hirelings called those who pointed out or protested these glaring scams all manner of names. They hid behind industry technicalities and jargon to create the impression that those of us who knew Nigerians were being robbed did not understand what we were saying. The point remains that a $2.8 billion investment can potentially build a refinery with a capacity of around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd). Of course, the actual capacity of such a refinery will depend on various factors, including the complexity of the refinery, the technology used, and the location. That is the amount that Kyari’s regime at the NNPCL took and did not give Nigerians refined products.

Fast forward to Kyari’s sack and the appointment of Engineer Bayo Ojulari, who has demonstrated that things can indeed be done differently. Kyari’s exit was expectedly followed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) going after him and his associates. The extent of the theft is better understood against the backdrop of N80 billion being found in the bank account of one of his associates. They went on the run.

Perhaps because the EFCC was biding its time on securing international warrants for the arrests of these characters on the lam, they have become emboldened. They have decided to fight back and rewrite the story of their participation in the greatest fraud against Nigerians. Engineer Ojulari’s renewed mindset, which is entrenching a semblance of the transparency Nigerians demand, became their natural target. The demons that once roamed around the corporation came out with malevolence. They started spinning stories of corruption to tarnish the incumbent who refused to hide their crimes. The objective: bring Ojulari down. But alas, he is winning the war as it stands.

His innocence is proven, and it is glaring that those who want him out are mere charlatans who can no longer ply their corrupt wares because of the impact of the new reforms. Corruption in the NNPCL is in its final throes. The fake news being unleashed against the incumbent leadership is akin to corruption’s last kicks as reforms in the sector strangulate it and its practitioners. The reforms must take place in the NNPCL, whether the industry demons like it or not.

As a parting shot, Kyari and his associates would do well to prepare their defence. In addition to accounting for the $2.8 billion they laundered in the name of repairing the moribund refineries, they must also answer for the poor decision to fix that which is irretrievably broken. Awarding contracts for Turn Around Maintenance of 59-year-old refineries that a right-thinking person had suggested should be demolished almost twenty years ago, when they were only 30 years old, is criminal. Trying to deceive Nigerians that the fake repairs worked is treason.

Olasanmi is a public affairs analyst writing from Lagos.

Business

GRANDIS 5STAR LUXURY APARTMENT & SUITES SET TO REDEFINE LIVING IN VICTORIA ISLAND

Published

4 days ago

August 15, 2025

Sahara Weekly

GRANDIS 5STAR LUXURY APARTMENT & SUITES SET TO REDEFINE LIVING IN VICTORIA ISLAND

Set to Rise elegantly against the Lagos skyline, is the Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites. According to Adejuwon Ademola, The General Manager of the Development company, it is more than just a residential building
“it’s a lifestyle statement. Standing 17 floors high in the heart of Victoria Island, this revolutionary masterpiece of modern architecture will offer a panoramic 360° view of Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi, transforming every apartment into an exclusive penthouse experience for the world’s most discerning elite.”

Developed by Dumarco Construction Limited, a globally acclaimed company with decades of delivering complex, high-value projects in the highly regulated petroleum, oil, and gas industries, Grandis 5Star brings unmatched international safety standards, uncompromising quality, and timeless elegance into Nigeria’s luxury property market.

> “When you live in Grandis, you’re not just buying a home—you’re investing in peace of mind, world-class safety, and an effortless luxury experience that will remain pristine for decades,” says Adejuwon A. Ademola, General Manager of Dumarco Construction Limited.

The Gold Standard in Safety and Quality

Dumarco’s roots in the oil and gas sector mean the company operates to some of the strictest safety protocols in the world. Every stage—from conceptualization, design, construction, to long-term maintenance—follows internationally accepted procedures and quality assurance measures. Cutting corners is simply not in Dumarco’s vocabulary.

> “In the oil and gas industry, there’s no room for compromise. We’ve brought that same discipline and zero-tolerance for mediocrity into property development,” says Ademola. “That’s why Grandis will be one of the safest and most enduring residential developments in Nigeria.”

To ensure transparency and prevent (project complacency), Dumarco deliberately separates the developer, contractor, and consultant roles, engaging only the most competent professionals in each respective field. Dumarco’s project team includes globally recognized contractors such as Julius Berger, Cappa & D’Alberto, and Elalan, Migliore Construczione & Tecniche (MC&T) and their partners VENCO IMTIAZ CONTRACTING COMPANY (VICC) based in Dubai, UAE, Business Contracting Limited, alongside leading consultants like Morgan Omanitan & Abe, LAMBERT, and James Cubitt.

Grandis – Investments, appreciation, returns and profitability

Our selection process for the location of the project alone was pains-taking and completely thorough scientific process. Top professional companies were employed to conduct a scientific data acquisition and analytical survey of the entire Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Eko Atlantic before a project site is selected. Analyzing and acquiring areas developmental charts and trends, studying and gathering historical and present sale prices, rental charge and occupancy rates over a 50 year period from every individual street before the selection of the location of any of our developments especially true for the Grandis Project
He adds,

“Our clients and residents can be rest assured that the location of Grandis has been scientifically proven through all existing data to provide our clients with a 100% occupancy rate, highest developmental location, highest rental income and investment returns. ”

The Grandis Experience

Located minutes away from international corporate headquarters, embassies, and landmarks such as Eko Hotel, Radisson Blu, and the Radisson Red, Grandis offers unmatched convenience for professionals, diplomats, and high-net-worth individuals. Every residence is designed for both indulgence and efficiency, with high-grade finishes, smart-home systems, and private amenities that ensure seamless living.

From sunrise over the Atlantic to the glittering Lagos night skyline, residents will enjoy uninterrupted luxury, supported by discreet and highly trained staff, advanced security systems, and a design that prioritizes comfort and privacy.

> “We designed Grandis for people who want everything—security, elegance, convenience, and the assurance that their home will look as spectacular in 20 years as it does on day one,” Ademola notes.

A Legacy That Lasts

With its combination of visionary architecture, peerless safety, and meticulous maintenance planning, Grandis is built to remain iconic for generations. Thanks to Dumarco’s meticulous approach, the building’s service charges are expected to remain low while its value and appeal continue to appreciate over time.

In a market often marred by shortcuts and substandard practices, Mr Ademola says
Grandis stands as a beacon of what luxury living should be—safe, spectacular, and built to last.

“Grandis 5Star Luxury Apartment & Suites — Where safety meets sophistication, and every detail is designed for a life well-lived.”
He added

Website -www.dumarcoltd.com
Project website – www.26idowutaylor.com
Email [email protected]
Tel / WhatsApp +234 9077777883
GM – Adejuwon A. Ademola

celebrity radar - gossips

Nationwide Talent, One Broadcaster: Tinubu Picks Pedro, Bello, Din, Mohammed to Lead NTA

Published

4 days ago

August 15, 2025

Sahara Weekly

Nationwide Talent, One Broadcaster: Tinubu Picks Pedro, Bello, Din, Mohammed to Lead NTA

Tinubu Overhauls NTA Leadership: Media Powerhouse Rotimi Pedro Takes Helm as DG

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), appointing renowned media executive Rotimi Richard Pedro as the new Director-General in a move widely seen as a bold step toward modernising the state broadcaster.

Pedro, a Lagos native, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in broadcasting, sports rights, and marketing communications across Africa, the UK, and the Middle East. A trained entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, he also holds an MSc in Investment Management and Finance from City University Business School, London.

In 1995, Pedro founded Optima Sports Management International (OSMI), which rose to become one of Africa’s leading sports content providers—distributing premium events such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and CAF competitions to audiences in over 40 countries.

His career highlights include top roles at Bloomberg Television Africa and Rapid Blue Format, as well as advisory work for FIFA, UEFA, Fremantle Media, and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB). At the AUB, he was instrumental in securing exclusive pan-African free-to-air media rights for all CAF competitions.

Alongside Pedro’s appointment, Tinubu named Karimah Bello from Katsina State as Executive Director of Marketing, Stella Din from Plateau State as Executive Director of News, and Sophia Issa Mohammed from Adamawa State as Managing Director of NTA Enterprises Limited.

Industry insiders credit Pedro with building commercially viable broadcast platforms, driving sponsorship growth, and delivering world-class content to African audiences. His appointment marks one of the most significant leadership changes at NTA in years—signalling the government’s intent to strengthen the broadcaster’s competitiveness in a fast-evolving media landscape.