President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote yesterday stated that the new leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been supporting his refinery.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assembling a capable leadership under Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Mr Ahmadu Musa Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
He stated this in a statement following his visit to President Tinubu.
Following his recent statement that he is still fighting for the survival of his $20bn refinery and he is determined to fight the cabals in the oil sector to a standstill, Dangote clarified that his statement was not in any way connected to the new leadership of the NNPC.
He reiterated that the new leadership in the NNPCL has been so far supportive in terms of meeting the company’s needs.
Daily Trust reports that Dangote was at loggerheads with the previous NNPC leadership under Mele Kyari.
There was tension over low crude supply to the refinery under the naira-for-crude deal which President Tinubu approved for local refineries with the 650,000-barrel Dangote Refinery in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos used as pilot for the initiative.
Also, both Dangote and NNPC engaged in subtle price war raising concerns about issues of transparency in fuel pricing.
However, Dangote gave a thumbs up to the Ojulari-led NNPCL which took over in April 4, 2025, stating that the cabals he was referring to are some major oil marketers and traders who were bent on frustrating the efforts of President Tinubu in revamping the nation’s economy.
He noted that the recent activities and structural reforms introduced by NNPC Limited serve as strong indicators of the organisation’s 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 added.
Dangote said he visited the president to commend him for putting together such a formidable and professionally competent team, that is eminently qualified to take NNPCL to a greater height.
According to Dangote, the new management team brings a wealth of technical expertise, and all have managerial experiences that are essential for revitalising Nigeria’s most strategic public enterprise.
The new team, according to Dangote, under the leadership of Bashir Bayo Ojulari and Ahmadu Musa Kida, reflects the President’s strategic intent to drive reform and innovation across the energy sector.
Dangote said, “We are confident that this team will address systemic challenges, align with the President’s vision of a $1 trillion economy, and reposition NNPC Limited for operational excellence and long-term sustainability.”
