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Energy Reforms Advocates Warn Against Plans by NNPCL, Cabal to Cripple Dangote, Local Refineries in Nigeria
The Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria (ERAN) has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and a powerful cabal to sabotage the operations of the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.
According to ERAN led by Daniel Clarke, the NNPCL plans to cut the supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery, a move that would force the facility to operate below capacity and undermine its ability to meet domestic demand.
This would lead to increased reliance on fuel imports, higher costs, and a return to the dreaded fuel queues.
At a press conference in Abuja, ERAN said that the corrupt cabal within the NNPCL is unsettled by the Dangote Refinery’s success, which threatens to expose their long-standing inefficiencies and corrupt practices.
The cabal allegedly aims to frustrate the refinery’s operations and portray it as unreliable.
The advocacy group praised the Dangote Refinery’s recent decision to lower fuel prices during the Yuletide season, describing it as a bold statement of its commitment to Nigerians.
“The recent news that NNPCL may cut crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries is a cause for alarm. This decision, if implemented, would be patently unjustifiable and strategically detrimental to the refinery’s operational efficacy, thereby subverting Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency,” the statement said.
“This move appears to be a deliberate and orchestrated attempt to undermine the Dangote Refinery, which has been operating at full capacity, through a concerted and compound action.
“It Is particularly perplexing that this decision comes on the heels of reviving dormant refineries, which had been in a state of disrepair for an extended period, and were allegedly utilized as conduits for embezzling billions of naira without any meaningful efforts to resuscitate them.
“The sudden pronouncement that these refineries will soon become fully operational, followed by the surreptitious maneuvering to drastically curtail the allocation to the Dangote Refinery, raises pernicious concerns about the motivations underlying this decision.
“Evidently, the corrupt cabal within NNPCL is unsettled by their inability to dictate the prices at which Dangote Refinery sells its products. By reducing crude allocation, they aim to frustrate its operations and portray it as unreliable.
“Also, despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery, against agreed terms, the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) allegedly continued to issue import licenses to NNPCL, Matrix, and other companies for importing petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria.
“Nonetheless, it is worth noting that Dangote Refinery’s recent decision to lower fuel prices during the Yuletide season was a bold statement of its commitment to Nigerians- a strong love for the people in easing the economy burden and strain. This move, hailed by citizens nationwide, was perceived as an insult by the cabal who feared losing control over the narrative of fuel pricing.
“From record , it can be said that the gasoline bought from Dangote Refinery is actually cheaper and of good quality than the one they are importing, which begs the question as to why they aren’t supporting our indigenous production.
“However, It is patently clear that the opposition to Dangote Refinery’s endeavors stems from a deep-seated fear harbored by a powerful cabal, who dread being exposed for their long-standing inefficiencies and corrupt practices.
“The Dangote Refinery’s success would rate private refineries higher than state-owned ones, challenging the relevance of NNPCL’s operations and its long-standing inefficiencies, which would raise suspicion about the operation of the leadership in NNPCL.
“The Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria is very much convinced that this perceived threat has prompted the creation of a facade, wherein unrealistic expectations are being built around refineries that are yet to become fully operational.
“These refineries, which would essentially function as blending plants, are being allocated crude oil supplies, while the allocation for Dangote Refinery is being deliberately reduced. This is one which is ostensibly designed to frustrate Dangote Refinery’s operations and enable the cabal to regain control over Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, thereby perpetuating their corrupt practices.”
ERAN called on the federal government to take immediate action to prevent any reduction in crude allocation to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries. The group also demanded that the NNPCL’s operations be subjected to independent audits to ensure accountability.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has refuted allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement of student loan funds.
In a statement on Thursday, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, the fund’s director of strategic communications, said some media reports are circulating “unverified, context-free, and inflammatory” claims suggesting that it mismanaged student loan monies.
Oluwatuyi said these allegations are “false, grossly irresponsible, and damaging” to the integrity of the scheme.
TheCable earlier reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced an investigation into alleged discrepancies in the disbursement of student loan funds.
A report had claimed that 51 tertiary institutions were involved in illegal deductions and exploitation related to the NELFund scheme.
The ICPC said that of the N100 billion released by the federal government reportedly for the student loan scheme, only N28.8 billion had been disbursed to students as of the time of the report, leaving about N71.2 billion unaccounted for.
It noted that its special task force has invited key stakeholders for questioning, including the director general of the budget office, the accountant general of the federation, and officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFund’s managing director, has also been invited to provide relevant documentation.
The ICPC said N203.8 billion had been received by NELFund as of March 19, 2024, from multiple channels.
These include allocations from the Federation Allocation Account Committee (FAAC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Of that figure, ICPC said N44.2 billion had been disbursed to 299 beneficiary institutions, covering 293,178 students.
Oluwatuyi said no funds have been stolen under the current student loan scheme, which officially launched its application portal in 2024.
“All institutional fees are paid directly to verified institutions, while upkeep allowances go into the verified bank accounts of eligible students,” she said.
“The reports circulating in the public space are based on outdated figures and previous interventions that predate our operations.”
The communications director said NELFund operates an automated loan system to eliminate the possibility of financial misconduct.
Every application and disbursement, according to her, is digitally tracked, time-stamped, and verifiable.
The Saudi Arabian ministry of interior has announced penalties for individuals attempting to perform the 2025 hajj pilgrimage without the required permit and those aiding such violations.
NAN reports that the ministry warned that enforcement against illegal pilgrims began on Dhul-Qi’dah 1 and will continue until Dhul-Hijjah 14 in the Islamic Hijri calendar.
This timeline, starting from the first day of the 11th Islamic month to the last day of the 12th (April 29 to June 10), marks the sacred window when the annual pilgrimage takes place in the holy city of Makkah.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), offenders risk fines of up to SAR 20,000 (approx. N8.5 million) if caught attempting to enter or stay in Makkah during the hajj season without valid documentation.
The crackdown extends to those who facilitate or shelter offenders.
A second-tier fine of SAR 100,000 (approx. N42.8 million) will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa on behalf of individuals attempting to perform hajj illegally or found within the restricted zone during the sacred period.
The same fine applies to transporters who aid undocumented pilgrims.
The ministry stated that the fine would multiply for each individual involved, warning that drivers, hotel managers, landlords, and others who assist in hiding such pilgrims will not be spared.
It added that authorities would also confiscate vehicles used in transporting illegal pilgrims if found to belong to any accomplices.
The ministry said the clampdown is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to preserve the sanctity, security, and orderliness of the hajj exercise, which annually draws millions of pilgrims from around the globe.
Meanwhile, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 hajj will commence on May 9.
Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s assistant director of information and publication, said in a statement that 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims have completed payments for this year’s pilgrimage.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says investing in the youth is an effective way to address the shortage of skilled work force in the country.
In a statement posted on his X page on Thursday to commemorate International Workers’ Day, Obi praised Nigerian workers for their resilience in the face of harsh economic and political conditions.
“The struggles and harsh realities facing our dear workers in our nation, presently contending with severe economic and political challenges, are obvious,” Obi said.
“Despite these very challenging times, our Nigerian workers have continued to show resilience and commitment to the nation’s growth.
“Notwithstanding the recent reconfiguration of our economic indices, the reality is that today, Nigeria has unemployment and under-employment rate of over 35% and youth unemployment and under-employmemt rate of over 45% which is one of the highest globally, fueling all sorts of criminality and social vices.
“Aggressive investment in the productive population remains the best and fastest route to bridging this shortage of well-trained workers and moving our nation from consumption to production.”
Obi called for targeted investment in the population, especially the youth, to shift the country from a consumption-based economy to a productive one.
“As I have often said, we can build a productive economy by investing in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction through job creation and small business support,” he added.
The former Anambra state governor urged the government to create an enabling environment that offers opportunities and fair wages, while also recognising the value of honest labour.