Nigeria has imported $2.25 billion in fuel from Malta, a recent report shows. Learn about the trade details and its significance.
Indications reveal that Nigeria imported fuel worth $2.25bn from Malta in the course of nine years, shortly after the founder of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote accused some officials at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited of owning blending plants in Malta.
Trade Map data reveals that Nigeria’s imports of petroleum oils derived from bituminous minerals amounted to $2.8bn in 2023, marking a remarkable surge of 342% compared to the $47.5m recorded in 2013.
In 2014, fuel imports into Nigeria totaled $59.98m and increased to $117.01m in 2015 before dropping drastically to only $13.32m in the year 2016.
It has been noted that there was a lack of fuel imports from Malta to Nigeria between 2017 and 2022.
In 2023, the country experienced a significant increase in fuel imports, with a value of $2.08 billion resulting from a geometric leap.
It is believed by certain Nigerians that Dangote’s claim of some NNPC staff owning blending facilities in Malta may be accurate.
In the midst of turmoil regarding his refinery worth $20 billion, Dangote stated that “Several terminals, NNPC employees and traders have established blending plants near Malta, in known locations. We are all aware of their activities.”
The ownership of a blending plant outside Nigeria was denied by Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC.
Kyari stated that he was receiving a multitude of calls from his loved ones and acquaintances, inquiring about the legitimacy of his ownership of a blending facility located in Malta.
The head of NNPC stated that they do not possess or control any enterprises directly or indirectly in any part of the globe, except for a small-scale agricultural undertaking in their locality.
He confirmed that he has no knowledge of any NNPC staff owning or managing a blending facility in Malta or anywhere else globally.
“I am overwhelmed with inquiries from my family, friends, and associates following the public announcement made by the President of Dangote Group regarding certain NNPC workers who have established a blending plant in Malta. This may prevent local production of petroleum products.”
“I want to make it clear that I am not involved in any business operation directly or indirectly apart from a local mini-agric venture. As for the allegations of owning or operating a blending plant, there is no truth to them as I have no knowledge of any NNPC employee who owns or operates such a facility either in Malta or elsewhere.”
Dangote has been speaking out in response to accusations by Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Ahmad alleged that diesel produced at Dangote’s refinery contained more sulphur than imported varieties; this claim was characterized as an effort to discredit Dangote’s business operations.
Ahmed had further stated that the nation would import fuel as a means to prevent Dangote from monopolizing.
