President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has thrown his weight behind the new leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing the appointments made by President Bola Tinubu as a turning point for the nation’s energy sector.
Dangote, in a statement on Tuesday, lauded the President for assembling what he called “a capable leadership team” at the NNPC.
He specifically commended the appointments of Mr. Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Ahmadu Kida as the Non-Executive Chairman, saying the duo brings “a wealth of technical expertise and managerial experience essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.”
“We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1tn economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability,” Dangote said.
The billionaire industrialist also visited President Tinubu to personally express appreciation for what he described as a deliberate and reform-driven agenda aimed at repositioning the NNPCL.
While responding to recent reports that suggested he was battling for the survival of his $20 billion refinery, Dangote clarified that his fight is not directed at the new NNPC leadership. Instead, he accused some entrenched interests in the oil sector of working against national progress.
“The cabals I referred to are not in the new NNPCL management,” Dangote said. “They are some major oil marketers and traders who are bent on frustrating President Tinubu’s efforts to revamp the nation’s economy.”
According to him, these individuals had benefitted immensely from the long-standing regime of government-subsidised oil imports and now see the Dangote Refinery, situated in Lekki, Lagos, and designed to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day as a threat to their business interests.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day,” he declared.
Dangote also expressed optimism about the direction NNPC Limited is taking under its new leadership, describing their actions so far as a reflection of renewed focus on transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
“The calibre of individuals at the helm, and their deliberate, reform-driven agenda, demonstrate a commitment to fostering a culture of performance and professionalism,” he said.
Meanwhile, the business tycoon reaffirmed the commitment of the Dangote Group to supporting a shared vision for a prosperous and energy-secure Nigeria.
