The business man is up against formidable adversaries he recently describes as the “oil mafia.” This powerful and shadowy group, which Dangote claims is more potent than drug cartels, has been relentlessly attempting to derail his ambitious refinery project.

Speaking at the Afreximbank annual meetings in Nassau, The Bahamas, on June 13, Dangote revealed the relentless opposition he has faced. “I knew there would be a fight, but I didn’t know that the mafia in oil, they are stronger than the mafia in drugs,” he stated.

The magnate detailed how both local and global factions have conspired to sabotage his efforts, employing a myriad of tactics to halt the refinery’s progress. Dangote, however, remains undeterred.

“I’m a person that has been fighting all my life. So, I think it’s part of my life to fight,” he declared, underscoring his resilience in the face of adversity.

An uneasy quiet followed his recent revelations; and just when it looked like that struggle was over, another dramatic twist hit the headlines today, the 26th of June. A fire erupted at the Dangote Refinery’s effluent treatment plant in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State. A video of the incident showed thick clouds of smoke billowing into the sky, accompanied by the sound of an explosion. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

However, the Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer of Dangote Industries, Anthony Chiejina, quickly reassured the public. “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant,” he confirmed. Chiejina emphasized that there was no cause for alarm, noting that the refinery continues to operate smoothly and no injuries were reported among the staff.

As Dangote continues his fight against unseen forces and unforeseen incidents, the world watches in anticipation. This clash of titans, between a determined entrepreneur and the clandestine oil mafia, coupled with the fiery challenges faced by his flagship refinery, underscores the high stakes and relentless pressure in the world of global energy.