In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Festus Osifo, President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), made a bold allegation against Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
Osifo accused Dangote of playing a significant role in undermining Nigeria’s economy, despite having benefited greatly from government support in the past.
According to Osifo:
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Government Support: He alleged that Dangote rose to prominence largely because of exclusive opportunities granted by Nigeria, including a sole licence to import flour, sugar, and salt.
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Refinery Funding: Osifo further claimed that Dangote’s massive refinery project was partly built using Nigerian resources, as the government subsidized foreign exchange (FX) for him.
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Economic Sabotage: “The person sabotaging our economy is Aliko Dangote. The man is who he is today because of Nigeria,” Osifo stressed.
The comments have stirred public debate, as many Nigerians continue to question the influence of monopolies and government-backed businesses on the nation’s struggling economy.
This development adds to ongoing discussions about economic policies, private-sector dominance, and the government’s role in shaping Nigeria’s industrial future.
