Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has criticized billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote over the recent hike in petrol pump prices, accusing the Dangote Refinery of exploiting the ongoing crisis in Iran to increase costs for Nigerians.
In a strongly worded statement, Adeyanju alleged that the refinery raised fuel prices by over 100 percent, linking the increment to tensions in the Gulf region. He questioned the justification for the hike, noting that the refinery sources crude oil domestically and benefits from a presidential directive allowing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company to sell crude to it in naira.
According to Adeyanju, the products currently being distributed were refined before the recent escalation of hostilities in the Gulf, and therefore should not be subject to price adjustments tied to international instability.
“What I find troubling is that Nigerians are being made to bear the burden of a price increase connected to events that did not impact the cost of already-refined stock,” he said.
The activist further argued that the refinery’s dominant market position leaves consumers vulnerable, describing the situation as a near-monopoly. He accused the government of being either unwilling or unable to intervene.
Adeyanju described the development as “unprecedented wickedness,” alleging that the refinery was profiting from global conflict while ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with economic hardship.
