Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has emphasized that the Dangote refinery is not in competition with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). This statement was made during a visit to the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja.
The visit, according to NNPC’s spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, was aimed at strengthening cooperation and promoting a spirit of healthy competition between the two entities. This comes after a period of perceived rivalry, particularly regarding the supply of crude oil in naira, though Dangote recently clarified that the tension was largely between his refinery and major oil marketers, not the newly appointed NNPC board.
Dangote assured Ojulari that the Dangote Group’s refinery views NNPC as a critical partner, stating, “There is no competition between us; we are not here to compete with NNPC Ltd. NNPC is part and parcel of our business, and we are also part of NNPC. This is an era of cooperation between the two organisations.”
Both Dangote and Ojulari pledged to work together to ensure Nigeria’s energy security and foster shared prosperity. Dangote congratulated the GCEO and his team, acknowledging the significant responsibility they hold and expressing confidence in their ability to meet the challenges ahead.
Ojulari, in turn, reassured Dangote of NNPC’s commitment to a productive and mutually beneficial partnership, emphasizing the caliber of the company’s workforce. He also highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and national prosperity.
The two leaders agreed to sustain a partnership based on healthy competition and collaboration, seeing vast opportunities for both companies to contribute to Nigeria’s energy and economic landscape.
The meeting marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the Dangote Group and NNPC, as both companies move forward with a shared vision of national growth and energy security.
