Downstream Sector Plagued by Sabotage as Cartels ‘Stronger Than Drug Gangs’ — Dangote Warns
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has raised serious concerns about the persistent challenges crippling Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, describing the industry as being under siege by entrenched sabotage and powerful cartels. According to Dangote, these interests are so deeply rooted that they rival, and in some cases surpass, the influence and organisation of drug gangs, making genuine reform extremely difficult.
Speaking on the state of the downstream sector, Dangote noted that despite policy reforms and massive private investments aimed at stabilising fuel supply and pricing, progress continues to be undermined by coordinated resistance. He explained that these cartels thrive on inefficiencies, import dependency, and opaque practices, deliberately frustrating efforts to modernise the sector and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports.
Dangote stressed that the impact of sabotage goes beyond business interests, directly affecting ordinary Nigerians through fuel scarcity, inflated prices, and economic instability. He called for stronger political will, regulatory transparency, and decisive enforcement to dismantle the networks benefiting from the chaos. According to him, without confronting these powerful interests head-on, Nigeria’s downstream sector will continue to struggle despite the country’s vast refining potential and resources.
