Bola Babarinde, former Chairman of the APC in South Africa, has defended Aliko Dangote’s refinery, calling for national pride rather than criticism. Babarinde argued that the refinery is a significant step toward achieving self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and should be supported for its potential to enhance national infrastructure and create jobs.
Babarinde praised Dangote for reinvesting in Nigeria, contrasting him with those who siphoned wealth abroad. He acknowledged Dangote’s strategic relationships with successive governments but defended his approach as essential for national development. Despite controversies, Babarinde emphasized Dangote’s commitment and transparency, highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s economy as a positive force.
He also criticized recent calls within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to continue importing petroleum products, framing it as a betrayal of national interests given the NNPCL’s history of inefficiencies and corruption. Babarinde urged President Bola Tinubu to engage patriotic Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, to drive progress and reform the financial sector to benefit the broader economy.