Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin has accused an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called Dialogue Earth of offering him an ₦800,000 bribe to write a negative review about the Dangote Refinery. In a detailed post on his X account on August 10, 2024, Hundeyin revealed that the NGO approached him last week with a brief that required him to criticize the refinery, using climate change and environmental concerns as justifications.
Hundeyin identified Dialogue Earth, formerly known as China Dialogue Trust, as a London-based NGO headed by Oxford professor Sam Geall. He alleged that the organization is funded by American intelligence fronts such as the Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks, the latter being blacklisted in India for funding organizations working against India’s national interest.
Despite suspecting the NGO’s intentions from the outset, Hundeyin decided to play along to gather evidence. He claimed the brief implied that a prominent local voice, like his, should advocate for the Nigerian government to shut down the refinery, citing “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy” as reasons. After obtaining the brief, Hundeyin shared screenshots to substantiate his claims.
He stated that he exposed this plot to highlight what he perceives as a concerted effort by American and European state and private interests to keep Africa impoverished. Hundeyin argued that these entities are invested in maintaining the status quo in Africa and regularly use covert means to sabotage progress on the continent.
This revelation comes amid ongoing tensions between the Dangote Refinery and Nigerian oil sector regulators. Aliko Dangote, the owner of the refinery, has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of attempting to sabotage the $20 billion facility by refusing to supply it with crude oil. Additionally, he has alleged that some government officials and regulators, who have stakes in foreign refining plants, are deliberately frustrating the refinery’s operations to protect their interests.