Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, a former Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking for the UN, claims that Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, is behaving like a regulator in the oil and gas industry.
According to Ezeilo, this could be seen as an effort to create a monopoly, which could exacerbate the exploitation of Nigerians.
Dangote Refinery had claimed that lower-priced PMS meant inferior petroleum goods.
However, Ezeilo, a former dean of the University of Nigeria’s Faculty of Law, stated in a post on her X handle on Tuesday that Dangote’s worries over inferior petroleum products from rivals shouldn’t be used as a tactic to crush competition and establish a monopoly.
“Why the wealthiest guy in Africa is regulating the oil and gas industry is beyond me.
This appears to be an effort to create a monopoly, which could increase the exploitation of Nigerians. There have been complaints of inferior petroleum products from rivals, the NNPCL, and independent oil marketers.
“Hopefully, this isn’t a plan to crush all rivals and establish the monopoly they’re used to.
Nigerians need affordable petrol because they are experiencing economic hardship; they cannot pay Saudi Arabian prices.
In the same way that Dangote Refinery has profited, I implore the government to provide further licenses and assist other businesses in the sector.
More modular refineries, cheaper gasoline, and a reduction in inflation and the food crisis are all possible outcomes of this, according to Ezeilo.
