Alleged smear campaign exposes Dangote’s efforts to undermine NNPCL, National Refineries

An email has allegedly revealed that businessman Aliko Dangote and his company, Dangote Group, are behind a coordinated smear campaign against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), its Group CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, and the newly revamped national refineries.

Reports suggest that for a while now, NNPCL and its leadership have been targeted by a deliberate effort to discredit their work, allegedly driven by powerful interests unsettled by the reforms being introduced under Kyari’s leadership.

These reforms have disrupted long-established practices that thrived in a less transparent system.

Behind closed doors, these influential individuals are said to have employed various tactics, including spreading false narratives, to damage the reputation of NNPCL and its management, as well as diminish the successes recorded in refinery operations.

The situation intensified after the rehabilitation and reactivation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, developments seen as a direct threat to those hoping to maintain dominance over the oil market.

Soon after, misleading reports began circulating, claiming the refineries were either non-functional or had collapsed, despite evidence to the contrary.

These stories were allegedly crafted to create public doubt and undermine the progress made under the current NNPCL administration.

After several unsuccessful attempts to destabilize NNPCL, the campaign reportedly took a new turn last week, with misleading claims spreading on social media.

A video surfaced online alleging that fuel produced at the government-owned refineries was of inferior quality, with a high burn rate that made it unsuitable for use.

The video’s creator claimed to have compared petrol purchased from an MRS Filling Station in Alapere, Lagos, at N925 per liter with fuel bought from an NNPC station in Ojodu Berger at N945 per liter.

He further alleged that when tested in generators, the one using NNPC fuel ran for only 17 minutes, while the generator using Dangote petrol lasted 33 minutes.

NNPCL quickly responded through its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, dismissing the claims as completely unfounded.

However, the campaign against the company and its leadership did not stop there.

Fresh attempts were reportedly made to discredit NNPCL, with an email allegedly originating from Dangote’s team spreading false reports about fuel importation figures.

The email, dated February 18, 2025, was said to have been sent by Dangote’s Digital Media Manager, Victor Ogunyinka, using his official company email address, with another staff member, Oluwakemi Victor, copied in the distribution.

The report it contained falsely claimed that NNPCL had imported over 200 million liters of petrol in February 2025 despite the ongoing refinery overhaul.

According to independent investigations, the claims in the report lacked any factual basis and appeared to be a strategic attempt to create public doubt about NNPCL’s progress.

It is widely believed that Dangote, who has significant business interests in the oil and gas sector, sees the revitalization of national refineries as a threat to his dominance in the market. His alleged attempts to discredit NNPCL’s operations suggest an effort to maintain control over the industry, even at the risk of misleading the public.

Despite the ongoing disinformation campaign, findings confirm that both the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are fully operational and running efficiently.

Their activities have positively impacted the fuel supply chain, created jobs, and strengthened local economies. Reports indicate that the Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 80 percent capacity, while the Warri Refinery, with a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, is running at 60 percent. These refineries are playing a crucial role in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and ensuring energy security for the country.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach out to the Spokesperson of Dangote Refinery, Tony Chijiena for comments proved abortive as his line was switched off.