One of my friends warned me against investing in Nigeria, says frustrated Dangote
Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that one of his wealthy friends advised him not to invest in Nigeria.
Aliko disclosed this in an interview with Premium Times on Sunday.
The revelation by Africa’s richest man comes amid a dispute between the refinery and Nigeria’s regulatory authorities.
The billionaire frowned at being tagged “monopolistic”, and offered to sell his $20billion refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, so that he would not be considered as an opposition by certain interests.
“Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist”, Dangote said.
“That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s okay. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way.
“We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture.
“As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life.
“I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.
“So, I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs”.
Dangote also said the obstacles his refinery is facing seem to have vindicated friends and associates who advised him to invest abroad, rather than in Nigeria’s economy.
“Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad,” Dangote added.
“I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his action in the interest of his country.
“He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.
“That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right.”
