A few days after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, alleged that certain officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) own blending plants in Malta, reports surfaced indicating that Nigeria imported fuel valued at $2.25 billion from Malta over the past nine years.
Data from Trade Map reveals that Nigeria's imports of petroleum oils derived from bituminous minerals reached $2.8 billion in 2023, representing a staggering 342% increase from just $47.5 million in 2013.
The figures indicate that Nigeria imported $59.98 million in fuel in 2014, $117.01 million in 2015, and $13.32 million in 2016. Notably, there were no recorded fuel imports from Malta between 2017 and 2022, but this trend shifted dramatically in 2023, with imports surging to $2.08 billion.
Dangote's claims have resonated with some Nigerians, who speculate that NNPC personnel may indeed have interests in blending plants in Malta.
In response, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, categorically denied any ownership of blending plants outside Nigeria.
He expressed concern over the public perception created by Dangote's allegations, emphasizing that he does not own or operate any business directly or indirectly outside Nigeria, apart from a local agricultural venture.
Kyari also stated he was unaware of any NNPC employee owning or operating a blending plant in Malta or elsewhere.
The controversy intensified following remarks by Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), who claimed that the diesel produced by Dangote's refinery contained higher sulfur levels than imported alternatives.
Dangote has characterized these statements as attempts to undermine his refinery's reputation.
