₦airaland Forum

Congratulations to my dear brother, Aliko Dangote, on the success achieved so far since the Dangote Refinery commenced operations. It is a historic leap for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic future.

But more importantly, credit must go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for doing what no other leader before him had the political will to execute: the full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector.

This singular act has broken the grip of entrenched interests and ushered in a new era of transparency, healthy competition, and customer-centric service delivery.

In a sector long plagued by rent-seeking, subsidy fraud, product diversion, and smuggling, this reform marks a decisive break from the past and lays the foundation for a more efficient and accountable energy market.

Yet despite this progress, there are still voices clinging to the old ways. Voices determined to resist change, even when it’s clear the tide has turned.

I’ve followed recent commentary around fuel supply issues and feel compelled to provide some perspective, especially as it relates to the future of this country, which remains threatened by entrenched cabals who still believe they can block the winds of reform.

But history has shown time and again: you can delay change, frustrate it, even sabotage it but you can never stop it. I founded DAPPMAN in 2002 (23 years ago) with a clear mission: to challenge the dominance of the major marketers and give independent depot owners a fair platform to thrive.

I personally structured the group, appointing the late George Enenmoh, then MD of Ascon Oil, as Chairman, while I served as Vice Chairman and Sayyu Dantata as Secretary. At the time, depot ownership was strategic. We were filling critical supply gaps left by an inefficient system.

designed to serve export markets, especially Africa. With Nigeria now refining locally, such infrastructure is increasingly unnecessary. The same thing happened in the cement industry.

Once Nigeria started producing cement locally, the bulk carriers that used to dock at our ports were retired, and many were sold as scrap. The same outcome awaits fuel depots.

If DAPPMAN members do not adapt, they will not only become irrelevant, they may go bankrupt. Instead of resisting progress, they should consider selling, restructuring, or investing in new value chains.

In fact, if they truly believe in competition, they could even come together and acquire the Port Harcourt Refinery and see if they can succeed where NNPC could not.

Even in developed markets, refinery operators are downsizing their depot footprint. Many are converting them into bonded warehouses or exiting completely. Folawiyo Group, known for its foresight and integrity, sold its depot and exited early. That is strategic thinking.

DAPPMAN had its place, but today, its relevance is fast fading. We must stop clinging to outdated privileges and focus on a new era built on self-sufficiency, transparency, and sustainable value creation.

Aliko’s refinery is not the problem; it is the solution.

Let’s move forward.

Africans are proud of you. And yes, my dear brother Aliko, you can now go to Monaco and rest jejely like me. You’ve earned it.

Wallade:
However, a good understand of Dangote conglomerate would reveal that his businesses thrives on monopolies - he wants pure monopoly of the downstream petroleum products market in the interim.

This will make it very difficult for new entrants into te petroleum refinery business to coop.

As for DAPPMAN, they really should look into setting up some refinery business of their own.

Wallade:
I agree that Dangote Refinery is not a problem; it is a big solution.

I also see your analogy on DAPPMAN being obsolete and the gradual extinction of Tank Farms in the Nigerian market.

However, a good understand of Dangote conglomerate would reveal that his businesses thrives on monopolies - he wants pure monopoly of the downstream petroleum products market in the interim.

This will make it very difficult for new entrants into te petroleum refinery business to coop.

Dangote Refinery efforts to prevent her staff from Unionism is simply to totally influence and control the activities of her staff and prevent external influences - this can be good but the flip side is when Dangote Refinery takes advantage and exploit the staff, which will happen because Dangote Refinery is a capitalist organization, there will be no pressure group to defend the staff.

As for DAPPMAN, they really should look into setting up some refinery business of their own.

nairalanda1:
Dangote is not running any monopoly anywhere...not in cement, not in refineries.

There are other licence holders in the refinery sector that have not started work or refused to start work. Yes, subsidy prevented them, but now subsidy is gone. Instead of attracting funding, dem go play

There are five other refineries working...then BUA refinery is coming up.

Same for cement...there is mangal, bua, ibeto, etc cement.

beyoobmighty:
I support anything the will better the life of the poor masses, meanwhile, it's very dangerous if dangote monopolizes this sector as well, we should not be at the mercy of dangote in all the critical sector of the economy that has a direct impact on the citizens... May God bless Nigeria

nickxtra:
Even the Otedola saw it long and exited that value chain and instead invested into other areas. That's strategic business thinking.

Wallade:
Let me give you an assignment:

Go and study monopoly and different types of monopolies.

Write a brief report on your findings on monopoly upon completion of your study. You can drop the brief here for all to see

Bleiz:
Give us quality and affordable fuel. We will be fine.

Wallade:
I agree that Dangote Refinery is not a problem; it is a big solution.

I also see your analogy on DAPPMAN being obsolete and the gradual extinction of Tank Farms in the Nigerian market.

However, a good understanding of Dangote conglomerate would reveal that his businesses thrives on monopolies - he wants pure monopoly of the downstream petroleum products market in the interim.

This will make it very difficult for new entrants into the petroleum refinery business to compete with his structures and dominace..

Dangote Refinery efforts to prevent her staff from Unionism is simply to totally influence and control the activities of her staff and prevent external influences - this can be good but the flip side is when Dangote Refinery takes advantage and exploit the staff, which will happen because Dangote Refinery is a capitalist organization, there will be no pressure group to defend the staff.

As for DAPPMAN, they really should look into setting up some refinery business of their own.

EngrHumble:
https://nairametrics.com/2025/09/22/why-dappmans-outdated-business-model-will-crumble-against-dangote-refinery-by-femi-otedola/

jmoore:
What happened to all the news of modular refineries?
To setup refinery is not moi moi.

BUA refinery will be ready in few years.

Dangote can't stop new entrants into the refinery business cos there is room for everyone. Lagos is far from many states, so a refinery in Crossrivers will definitely get customers from southeast, some parts of southsouth, Cameroon and other nearby African countries.

Wallade:
I agree that Dangote Refinery is not a problem; it is a big solution.

I also see your analogy on DAPPMAN being obsolete and the gradual extinction of Tank Farms in the Nigerian market.

However, a good understanding of Dangote conglomerate would reveal that his businesses thrives on monopolies - he wants pure monopoly of the downstream petroleum products market in the interim.

This will make it very difficult for new entrants into the petroleum refinery business to compete with his structures and dominace..

Dangote Refinery efforts to prevent her staff from Unionism is simply to totally influence and control the activities of her staff and prevent external influences - this can be good but the flip side is when Dangote Refinery takes advantage and exploit the staff, which will happen because Dangote Refinery is a capitalist organization, there will be no pressure group to defend the staff.

As for DAPPMAN, they really should look into setting up some refinery business of their own.

Wallade:
I agree that Dangote Refinery is not a problem; it is a big solution.

I also see your analogy on DAPPMAN being obsolete and the gradual extinction of Tank Farms in the Nigerian market.

However, a good understanding of Dangote conglomerate would reveal that his businesses thrives on monopolies - he wants pure monopoly of the downstream petroleum products market in the interim.

This will make it very difficult for new entrants into the petroleum refinery business to compete with his structures and dominace..

Dangote Refinery efforts to prevent her staff from Unionism is simply to totally influence and control the activities of her staff and prevent external influences - this can be good but the flip side is when Dangote Refinery takes advantage and exploit the staff, which will happen because Dangote Refinery is a capitalist organization, there will be no pressure group to defend the staff.

As for DAPPMAN, they really should look into setting up some refinery business of their own.