AYA demands Dangote’s compliance with NNPC rules

The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has called on billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to respect and adhere to the regulations set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, emphasising that the NNPC, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have long been established as the country’s regulatory bodies.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the AYA’s speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, asserted that it would be selfish for Dangote to expect these regulatory bodies to bend their protocols to serve his personal interests. Danlami stressed the importance of compliance with established regulations, noting that even the Dangote Group has its own rules and regulations that all stakeholders must follow.

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Danlami accused Dangote of attempting to dictate the price of crude oil, a practice that he claimed goes against global best practices. He alleged that Dangote seeks to have Bonny Light crude sold to him at a rate of his choosing and wants the NUPRC to force international oil companies (IOCs) to comply with his demands, disregarding the willing buyer-willing seller principle.

Additionally, Danlami accused Dangote of trying to monopolise the market by preventing the NMDPRA from licensing other importers. He claimed that Dangote has resorted to blackmail, attempting to incite the public against the NMDPRA by alleging that they issue licences to marketers who bring substandard products into the country.

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The AYA has called on the National Assembly to make public the laboratory results of products from Dangote’s refinery, suggesting that there are concerns about the quality of these products. Danlami stated that while Dangote has operated in less regulated industries, the oil and energy sectors have stringent rules that must be followed.

The youth group urged Dangote to cooperate with regulatory bodies and work for the national interest, warning against any attempts to undermine the administration’s agenda. They also demanded that Dangote apologise to the government and other business competitors for allegedly defaming their character or face legal consequences.