Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rejected a $750 million offer from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to manage two major refineries in 2007.
In an interview with Channels TV, Obasanjo explained that Dangote made the offer as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to operate the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries. However, NNPC, now known as NNPCL, declined, claiming they could manage the facilities themselves.
“Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries.
“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they could run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo further attributed the country’s current economic challenges to poor leadership, but he urged Nigerians to remain hopeful.
“We are going through hardship, but we should never lose hope. Where we are now is not where God wants us to be. I believe that sooner or later,” he stated.
The former president also noted that both leaders and followers share some responsibility for Nigeria’s challenges but expressed optimism for the nation’s future.
