The controversy surrounding the $20 billion Dangote Refinery has reached new heights following allegations by Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin. Hundeyin has accused the international NGO Dialogue Earth of attempting to bribe him with N800,000 to produce a negative report about the refinery, which is one of the largest and most ambitious industrial projects in Africa.
Hundeyin’s accusations emerged on August 12, 2024, when he detailed on his X account how the NGO, formerly known as China Dialogue Trust, approached him last week with a brief to write a critical piece about the Dangote Refinery. According to Hundeyin, the NGO, which is based in London and led by Oxford professor Sam Geall, sought to use environmental and climate change arguments to cast the refinery in a negative light. The goal, he alleges, was to provide grounds for the Nigerian government to potentially restrict or shut down the refinery based on its environmental impact and energy transition commitments.
Hundeyin further claimed that Dialogue Earth is funded by several American organizations, including the Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks. The latter, he noted, is blacklisted in India for supporting entities that oppose Indian national interests. Hundeyin suspects that these groups are part of a larger campaign to undermine the Dangote Refinery, which could have significant economic and geopolitical implications.
The Dangote Refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, represents a major leap towards energy self-sufficiency for Nigeria and West Africa. With a capacity to process 650,000 barrels of oil per day, the refinery aims to reduce the region’s dependence on imported fuel and improve the quality of locally refined products. This project is seen as crucial for boosting Nigeria’s economy and advancing its energy sector.
Recent reports from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have highlighted the potential impact of the Dangote Refinery on Europe’s oil market. OPEC’s June 2024 Oil Market Report noted that the refinery could disrupt Europe’s gasoil sector, particularly in Northwest Europe, by providing significant volumes of diesel and jet fuel. This, in turn, could pressure European oil markets and enhance Nigeria’s economic prospects.
Hundeyin’s revelations add a layer of intrigue to the ongoing discussions about the refinery. By exposing the alleged bribe and the NGO’s purported motives, Hundeyin aims to shine a light on what he views as a broader conspiracy to undermine Africa’s economic development. He argues that the NGO’s efforts are part of a global agenda to prevent African nations from achieving self-sufficiency and prosperity.
In his post, Hundeyin criticized what he perceives as a coordinated effort by international interests to keep Africa economically disadvantaged. He suggests that such actions reflect a broader disdain for Africa’s progress and a desire to maintain the status quo of poverty and dependency.
The allegations have intensified the scrutiny of the Dangote Refinery and its stakeholders. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact the refinery’s future and the broader discourse on African economic independence. The revelations also underscore the complex interplay of global interests and local developments in shaping the trajectory of major projects like the Dangote Refinery.
