In a recent statement on his verified Twitter account, former Senator Shehu Sani has raised alarms over what he describes as coordinated efforts by foreign entities to undermine key Nigerian businesses. Sani’s tweet alleges that just as foreign airlines have attempted to dismantle the operations of Nigeria's Air Peace, foreign oil companies are now targeting the Dangote Refinery, seeking to thwart local competition and maintain their dominance in the country.
“As the Foreign Airlines wanted to destroy our Air Peace, Foreign oil firms appeared to be going after Dangote Refinery. They don’t want any form of local challenge that will break their monopoly and dominance and end their exploitative activities in this country,” Sani wrote, highlighting a perceived pattern of foreign resistance against Nigeria's strides towards economic self-reliance.
Air Peace, a leading Nigerian airline, has faced numerous challenges from international competitors, which many observers believe are attempts to suppress the growth of a robust local aviation sector. Similarly, the Dangote Refinery, set to be Africa’s largest oil refinery, represents a significant shift towards local oil production and processing, potentially reducing Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum products.
Sani’s remarks underscore a broader concern about the influence of foreign companies in Nigeria’s critical sectors. The dominance of international oil firms in Nigeria has long been a contentious issue, with debates over their impact on the country’s economic development and the fairness of their practices. The emergence of the Dangote Refinery is seen as a pivotal step in breaking this longstanding dependency, promising to enhance Nigeria’s energy security and create substantial local employment opportunities.
By drawing parallels between the experiences of Air Peace and the Dangote Refinery, Sani paints a picture of systemic challenges faced by Nigerian enterprises from powerful international competitors. His call to action suggests a need for robust policies and public support to protect and promote indigenous businesses.