Nigeria has imported $2.25 billion worth of fuel from Malta over the past nine years, with a dramatic spike in 2023, according to Trade Map data. This follows allegations by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, that some officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) own blending plants in Malta.
In 2023 alone, Nigeria imported petroleum oils worth $2.08 billion from Malta, a significant increase from $47.5 million in 2013.
Dangote’s claims have sparked debate, with some Nigerians supporting his assertion that NNPC personnel might be involved in these foreign blending operations. Despite this, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, denied owning any blending plants outside Nigeria and stated that he is unaware of any NNPC employees involved in such operations. Kyari also mentioned receiving numerous inquiries from family and friends regarding the allegations.
The controversy comes amid ongoing challenges for Dangote’s $20 billion refinery project. Dangote has countered claims by Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, that the refinery’s diesel has higher sulphur content than imported diesel. Ahmed had also suggested that Nigeria would continue importing fuel to prevent Dangote’s monopoly in the market.