In a recent visit to the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, made it clear that his $20 billion refinery is not in competition with the state-owned energy giant.

“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,” Dangote stated.

“This is an era of cooperation between the two organisations.”Dangote’s comments come amidst concerns of a rivalry between the two companies, particularly over the supply of crude oil in naira.

The Dangote Group has faced resistance from some factions, which Dangote has attributed to major marketers, not the new NNPC leadership.

Speaking on the future of collaboration, Dangote pledged his commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy security. “We are here to collaborate with the NNPC to ensure energy security for Nigeria,” he added.

The two organizations have now agreed to deepen their collaboration and competition in a manner that benefits Nigeria’s energy future. NNPC’s GCEO, Bayo Ojulari, echoed Dangote’s sentiments, emphasizing that the energy sector will thrive through “healthy competition” and a shared commitment to national prosperity.

“We envision limitless opportunities for both organisations,” Ojulari affirmed, highlighting the skilled workforce within NNPC and their dedication to delivering value for Nigeria.