Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening at the Presidential Villa in Abuja — their first official engagement at the State House since Tinubu’s visit to the Dangote Refinery on June 5.

Dangote arrived at the Villa shortly before 7:00 p.m. and departed about 30 minutes later without addressing the media. While the purpose of the meeting was not disclosed, it comes against the backdrop of recent developments in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector and the anticipated shift in the nation’s fuel supply structure.

The meeting follows a series of strong public statements by Dangote on the state of government-owned refineries and the need for urgent reforms in the sector. Speaking on July 11 while hosting international energy executives, Dangote remarked that the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna “may never operate properly again,” despite approximately $18 billion reportedly invested in their rehabilitation.

He also advocated for “bold policy shifts” to reposition Nigeria’s downstream sector, which continues to grapple with inefficiencies and heavy reliance on fuel imports.

In mid-June, Dangote announced plans for his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos, to begin direct distribution of petrol and diesel to retailers and large-scale consumers starting August 15 — a move that would bypass traditional fuel traders. The decision has drawn criticism from some industry groups, including the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, which warned of potential job losses and market disruptions.

Tuesday’s high-level meeting has further fueled speculation that discussions may have centered on fuel pricing, regulatory frameworks, and the integration of private refining capacity into Nigeria’s broader energy policy.

The $20 billion Dangote Refinery, regarded as Africa’s largest single-train refining facility, is expected to play a critical role in achieving domestic fuel self-sufficiency and reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

While neither Dangote nor the presidency offered details of the conversation, the timing of the visit suggests ongoing collaboration between the federal government and strategic private sector stakeholders in shaping the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape.