Economy

IOCs frustrating rollout of petrol, says Dangote Refinery

Published

11 months ago

June 24, 2024

Dangote Group has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country of deliberately sabotaging Dangote Refinery’s plan to roll out petrol into the market.

According to the company, the IOCs are doing this to ensure that the country remains dependent on petrol imports perpetually.

It added that they have employed underhand tactics in crude pricing and deliberately stalling supply to frustrate Dangote Refinery.

Vice President of Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, made this known yesterday in Lagos.

He, however, added that despite these challenges, the refinery is on its last lap of testing ahead of roll out next month.

He explained that the IOCs have raised local crude prices above the international market price, forcing it to import crude from countries as far as the United States, with its attendant high costs.

He also criticised the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), for granting licences indiscriminately to marketers, who, according to the firm, import “dirty refined products into the country”.

Edwin said: “The Federal Government issued 25 licences to build refineries and we are the only one that delivered on promise.

“In effect, we deserve every support from the government. It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 per cent of our production, have been exported.

“We are calling on the Federal Government and regulators to give us the necessary support in order to create jobs and prosperity for the nation.”

According to him, while the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has been trying its best to allocate crude to Dangote Refinery, such efforts are being frustrated by the IOCs.

Speaking further, Edwin said: “It seems that the IOCs’ objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails.

“It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or they simply state that crude is not available.

“At some point, we paid $6 over and above the market price. This has forced us to reduce our output as well as import crude from countries as far as the U.S., increasing our cost of production.

“It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports crude oil and imports refined petroleum products.

“They (IOCs) are keen on exporting the raw materials to their home countries, creating employment and wealth for their countries, adding to their GDP, and dumping the expensive refined products into Nigeria – thus making us dependent on imported products.

“It is the same strategy the multinationals have been adopting in every commodity, making Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to be facing unemployment and poverty, while they create wealth for themselves at our expense. This is exploitation – pure and simple.

“Unfortunately, the country is also playing into their hands by continuing to issue import licences at the expense of our economy and at the cost of the health of Nigerians, who are exposed to carcinogenic products.

“In spite of the fact that we are producing and bringing out diesel into the market, complying with ECOWAS regulations and standards, licences are being issued, in large quantities, to traders who are buying the extremely high sulphur diesel from Russia and dumping it in the Nigerian Market.

“Since the U.S., EU and UK imposed a Price Cap Scheme from 5th February 2023 on Russian Petroleum Products, a large number of vessels are waiting near Togo with Russian ultra-high sulphur diesel and, they are being purchased and dumped into the Nigerian Market.

“In fact, some of the European countries were so alarmed about the carcinogenic effect of the extra high sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian market that countries like Belgium and the Netherlands imposed a ban on such fuel being exported from its country, into West Africa.

“It is sad that the country is giving import licences for such dirty diesel to be imported into Nigeria when we have more than adequate petroleum refining capacity locally.”

According to him, the decision of the NMDPRA to grant licenses indiscriminately for the importation of dirty diesel and aviation fuel has made the Dangote Refinery expand into foreign markets.

He appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to urgently intervene for the speedy implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and to ensure the interests of Nigeria and Nigerians are protected.

He added: “Recently, the Government of Ghana, through legislation, banned the importation of highly contaminated diesel and PMS into their county.

“It is regrettable that, in Nigeria, import licences are granted despite knowing that we have the capacity to produce nearly double the amount of products needed in Nigeria and even export the surplus.

“Since January 2021, ECOWAS regulations have prohibited the import of highly contaminated diesel into the region.

“The same industry players fought us for crashing the price of diesel and aviation fuel, but our aim is to grow our economy,” Edwin said.

He noted that because the refinery meets the international standard as well as complies with stringent guidelines and regulations to protect the local environment, it has been able to export its products to Europe and other parts of the world.

NMDPRA said it would respond to Dangote Refinery’s allegations today.

Asked for the Authority’s response, Corporate Communications General Manager, Mr. George Ene-Ita, texted: “We will respond in the morning, pls.”

Economy

SEE Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate

Published

6 hours ago

May 16, 2025

ADMIN

Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate
As of Thursday, May 15, 2025, the exchange rate of the United States Dollar (USD) to the Nigerian Naira (NGN) in the Lagos parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, stands as follows:

Buying Rate: ₦1,625 per $1
Selling Rate: ₦1,630 per $1
These rates were sourced from key operators within the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market and may fluctuate depending on demand, location, and volume of the transaction.

Important Disclaimer from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
The Central Bank of Nigeria has repeatedly cautioned against the use of the parallel market for foreign exchange transactions. The apex bank maintains that the official forex market is the only recognized channel for buying and selling foreign currency. Individuals or businesses in need of foreign exchange are strongly advised to approach their respective commercial banks or authorized dealers.

Official CBN Exchange Rate – May 15, 2025
In contrast to the rates observed in the black market, the official rates published by the CBN on the same date are:

Highest Rate: ₦1,604 per $1
Lowest Rate: ₦1,597 per $1
These rates reflect the regulated interbank market and may differ from bank-to-bank or based on transaction purposes such as international payments, imports, and remittances.

It’s important to note that the foreign exchange rates quoted here are indicative and may not reflect the exact rates offered to individuals or businesses at any given moment. Factors such as the location of exchange, prevailing market conditions, transaction volume, and negotiations between parties can lead to slight variations.

Final Thoughts
As the Naira continues to fluctuate against the Dollar, both in the official and unofficial markets, it is crucial for individuals and businesses to monitor exchange rate trends closely. For the most accurate and up-to-date rates, always consult authorized BDC operators or your local bank.

Economy

SEE Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

ADMIN

Current Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate
As of Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Nigerian naira at the Lagos Parallel Market commonly known as the black market or Aboki FX—stands as follows:

Buying Rate: ₦1,630 per dollar
Selling Rate: ₦1,635 per dollar
This information is based on data obtained from traders at Bureau De Change (BDC) outlets in Lagos.

Important Notice:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the black market as an official channel for foreign exchange transactions. Individuals and businesses seeking to access forex are advised to go through authorized financial institutions, such as commercial banks.

Dollar to Naira – Black Market Rate Today
Exchange Type Rate (₦)
Buying ₦1,630
Selling ₦1,635
Dollar to Naira – CBN Official Rate
At the Central Bank of Nigeria’s official window, the dollar exchanged at varying rates today:

Highest Rate: ₦1,610
Lowest Rate: ₦1,597
Note:
Foreign exchange rates may differ depending on location, volume, and the dealer. The figures provided here are for informational purposes and may not reflect the exact rates offered to buyers or sellers in real-time.

Economy

CBN launches new platform, targets $1bn monthly diaspora remittances

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

The Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, has launched the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number platform, an initiative aimed at enhancing financial access for Nigerians in the diaspora.

The platform, which enables Nigerians abroad to obtain their Bank Verification Number remotely, removes the need for physical presence in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, described the platform as a key milestone in the country’s financial inclusion journey.

He noted that the NRBVN would ease the long-standing challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora who previously had to be physically present in Nigeria for BVN registration.

“For too long, many Nigerians abroad have faced difficulties accessing financial services at home due to physical verification requirements,” Cardoso said. “The NRBVN changes that. Through secure digital verification and robust Know Your Customer processes, Nigerians worldwide will now be able to access financial services more easily and affordably.”

The governor added that the NRBVN was not just a solution for financial access, but a step towards a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous financial ecosystem.

“We are building a secure, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystem for Nigerians globally,” he remarked. “This platform is not just about financial access, it’s about national inclusion, innovation, and shared prosperity.”

Cardoso also highlighted the growth in remittance flows, which increased from $3.3bn in 2023 to $4.73bn in 2024. He attributed this rise to recent reforms, including the introduction of the willing buyer, willing seller FX regime.

With the launch of the NRBVN, the CBN is targeting $1bn in monthly remittances.

“With the introduction of NRBVN and complementary policy measures, we are optimistic about achieving our ambitious target of $1bn in monthly remittance flows, a goal we believe is entirely achievable given the growing trust and convenience in formal remittance channels,” Cardoso said.

The event also featured a presentation by the Managing Director/CEO of NIBSS, Mr Premier Oiwoh, who detailed the technical and operational aspects of the NRBVN platform.

Oiwoh emphasised that the platform adheres to global standards, incorporating stringent Anti-Money Laundering and KYC compliance protocols to ensure transparency and security.

The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Mr Muhammad Abdullahi, also addressed the gathering, describing the NRBVN as a transformative tool for enhancing the banking experience for Nigeria’s diaspora.

He urged stakeholders to collaborate in refining the platform to meet the evolving needs of the diaspora community.

He further emphasised that the initiative would strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its global citizens, and ultimately drive sustainable economic growth.

“Together, we stand at the threshold of a new era, poised to deepen the trust, enhance remittance growth, and forge a stronger, more meaningful connection between Nigeria and its global citizens,” Abdullahi said.

The NRBVN platform is part of a broader framework that includes the Non-Resident Ordinary Account and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account, which provide Nigerians in the diaspora with access to savings, mortgages, insurance, pensions, and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s capital markets.

Under current regulations, diasporans will have the flexibility to repatriate the proceeds of their investments.

The launch of the NRBVN platform marks a crucial step in the CBN’s efforts to improve financial inclusion and harness the economic potential of Nigeria’s diaspora.