Activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has accused Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, of exercising undue influence over President Bola Ahmed and the federal government in an alleged attempt to entrench monopoly control in the country’s oil and gas sector.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Adeyanju claimed that Dangote was instrumental in the removal of former presidential aide Babagana Kyari after he allegedly refused to comply with certain demands linked to the commencement of operations at the Ibeju-Lekki refinery.
He further alleged that several key regulators within the petroleum industry have been eased out under similar pressure, describing the trend as a dangerous assault on institutional independence.
Adeyanju also insisted that allegations surrounding a reported $5 million payment by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, for his children’s education in Switzerland must be thoroughly investigated and not swept under the carpet.
“The $5 million allegation must not be allowed to die, even if investigations eventually establish that no such payment was made,” Adeyanju said. “This is not about morality; it is about power, market dominance, and monopoly.”
He warned that the Fefederal governmentust resist what he described as “economic blackmail” and assert its authority in regulating the sector.
Reaffirming the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Adeyanju noted that the law promotes competition and explicitly discourages monopolistic practices within Nigeria’s petroleum market.
He also criticized the pricing structure of Dangote’s refinery, arguing that locally refined petroleum products from Ibeju-Lekki are reportedly more expensive than imported fuel from countries such as Argentina and Brazil. Adeyanju further questioned claims about the quality of some of the refinery’s products.
“No one forced Dangote to build a refinery of this magnitude,” he said. “Every investment comes with risks, and Nigerians should not be compelled to pay higher prices or endure limited options under the banner of patriotism.”
Adeyanju called on anti-corruption agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the alleged $5 million expenditure and determine whether any inducements were offered or rejected, stressing that only a transparent probe can safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
This comes as Ahmed and Gbenga Komolafe of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission on Wednesday announced their resignation.
Dangote and Ahmed began a renewed feud over the latter’s allegation.
