UK-NGO Bribery Scandal Hits Dangote Refinery -By Stephen Ahwen

In a shocking revelation, investigative journalist David Hundeyin has accused a UK-based NGO, Dialogue Earth (formerly China Dialogue Trust), of attempting to bribe him to publish a smear article against Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest petroleum refinery which started on September 3rd, 2024. Hundeyin alleged that the NGO offered him ₦800,000 (approximately $500) to frame a false narrative aimed at discrediting the newly operational refinery owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

Hundeyin made these allegations public via his Twitter page and reiterated them in multiple televised interviews. According to him, the brief provided by Dialogue Earth was carefully worded to push an anti-refinery stance, leveraging environmental concerns and Nigeria’s energy transition goals. The NGO sought to question the refinery’s adherence to emission standards and its alignment with Nigeria’s net-zero emission targets.

Specifically, the commission aimed to frame the narrative that Nigeria, being a signatory to climate agreements, should not support the launch of a petroleum refinery. It intended to paint the refinery as a contradiction to Nigeria’s commitment to green energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence. The timing of this attempt, shortly after a fire incident at the Dangote Refinery, raised further suspicions.

Sensing foul play, Hundeyin declined the offer and criticized what he described as a hypocritical stance by Western environmental activists. He argued that developed nations like the U.S., UK, Germany, and Japan continue to burn fossil fuels, including coal, yet organizations like Dialogue Earth choose to target Africa.

“The purpose of this article was to corrupt the voice of a local commentator in Nigeria to attack the existence of the oil refinery,” Hundeyin stated. He further questioned why Africa, the poorest continent, is expected to transition away from fossil fuels when wealthier nations have yet to do so.

Dialogue Earth, led by a University of Oxford professor, focuses on climate issues in the Global South. However, Hundeyin believes its actions expose a bias against Africa while ignoring the significant emissions from developed nations.

Currently residing in Ghana, Hundeyin was granted asylum and refugee status in 2022 after facing threats in Nigeria due to his role in the #EndSARS protest. He fled Nigeria in 2020 following multiple threats against his life.