Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged caution as a conflict arises between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) over crude oil supply. Atiku stressed the need to focus on the development of the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which is vital for Nigeria’s energy and forex stability.
The tension began when Dangote Group accused NUPRC of failing to enforce Domestic Crude Supply Obligations, leading to insufficient crude supplies for the refinery. NUPRC, however, countered that it had facilitated the supply of over 29 million barrels of crude to Dangote from January to June 2024, a claim the refinery disputes.
Atiku expressed concern about any actions that could hinder the refinery’s progress, urging Nigerians to ensure that no forces—internal or external—block the realization of the refinery’s potential benefits. The NUPRC reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s energy security, noting that it had supplied a total of 32 million barrels of crude to Dangote and other local producers in the first half of 2024.
This dispute raises significant concerns about the refinery’s ability to fulfill its role in meeting Nigeria’s energy demands.
News Editor