X Takes Action Against Stolen Content and Demonetizes a Large Gaming System Account

 Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, said on Friday that X demonetized an account known as “Disclose.tv,” which has nearly 2 million followers, for posting a video captured by Spaceflight Now photographer Adam Bernstein of Blue Origin’s rocket crash and removing his watermark.

 Disclose.tv, which regularly posts news clips featuring its own watermark, says on its website it is a Germany-based “aggregator of breaking news” that uses “videos from popular sources,” though it has been described by Politifact as a “fake news” outlet. Bier said in a post on X last week the platform has identified “large accounts that have been programmatically reuploading content from smaller accounts to game the revenue share program,” saying impressions earned by these posts will be redirected to the original creators. X.

Earlier this week, 

Bier, in a  rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="background: none rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: none; box-sizing: border-box; color: #003891; cursor: pointer; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="https://x.com/nikitabier/status/2043045929750794399">post

 last month, said X reduced payouts for creators that just aggregate other posts to 60%, vowing to reduce payments by an additional 20% for the following pay cycle.

WHAT OTHER ACCOUNTS HAS X DEMONETIZED?

Earlier this week, Bier said he demonetized an account called “@Rainmaker1973,” which has more than 4 million followers, for reposting thousands of videos lifted from smaller accounts and removing their watermarks over the past six months. “You cannot get more shameless than this. This is your last day in the creator program,” Bier said in a post. The account responded in a post on Friday, calling Bier’s accusations a “lie” and saying small accounts have asked him to repost their videos for visibility. Dom Lucre, an X user whose real name is Dominick McGee, complained on X last month he was demonetized by the platform. Bier, in response, said in a post he was demonetized for reposting AI-generated war videos. As McGee continued to post about his demonetization, Bier said his “crash out has been incredible content.” McGee, who often posts misinformation and conspiracy theories, has more than 1.7 million followers and previously earned about $55,000 a year from X, the New York Times reported last year.

HOW DOES X’S MONETIZATION WORK?

X allows creators who subscribe to its premium membership program to monetize posts, provided they abide by the platform’s content monetization standards, have more than 2,000 followers and have earned more than 5 million impressions across all posts within the preceding 3 months. According to X’s monetization guidelines, posts that promote deceptive or illegal activity, like drugs or weapons, are prohibited from monetization, as are posts considered “engagement bait” or “recycled or unoriginal content.” Other posts that may have monetization restricted include posts about sexual content, violence, strong language or hate speech. In March, in response to a proliferation of AI-generated content about the Iran war, X implemented a new standard prohibiting monetization of AI-generated posts depicting an armed conflict, threatening to suspend creators from the revenue sharing program.

X’s monetization program has previously drawn criticism from users, who have said the financial incentive to post has led to the platform being flooded with “slop,” or low-quality content. Shortly after X introduced its creator revenue sharing program, Mashable reported users had already begun complaining their timelines were flooded with “engagement bait,” saying the platform “rewards those who post rage bait”—or, content designed to foster engagement that “turns anger into dollars as users can't stop themselves from watching or commenting.” A BBC investigation previously found some users earned thousands of dollars from X for posting “misinformation, AI-generated images and unfounded conspiracy theories.”

This is culled from forbes

It's a waste of time to plan a coup in Nigeria, says the defence minister.

 Insisting that democracy is still far superior than military power, Nigeria's Minister of Defense, Christopher Musa, has said that any attempt to launch a coup would be pointless.

According to the minister, officers who were allegedly planning to topple President Bola Tinubu's administration lacked support and would have faced opposition from regular Nigerians in the absence of military action.

In an interview with Arise News on Friday, Musa discussed the impending court martial of officers suspected of being involved in the purported October 2025 coup plot.

He declared, "Anyone who plans a coup is wasting his time." "Any military regime is substantially inferior than democracy. This is a chance to demonstrate to the younger ones that a coup is unprofitable. The minister called the alleged plotters "confused individuals" who tricked subordinate officers into getting into trouble. 

"When I looked at the folks involved, I shook my head because they were just a bunch of confused people who exposed extremely junior officers who didn't know their left from their right and now put them in this situation. It's very regrettable," he remarked.

He said that if the accused plotters had tried to carry out their schemes, even citizens would have confronted them.

They would have been defeated even by Nigerian people. Therefore, I believe that doing what they wanted to do was plain careless," he continued.

"The military leadership always felt saddened whenever personnel found themselves in such situations," Musa said, expressing sympathy for the junior officers on trial.

In an interview with Arise News on Friday, Musa discussed the impending court martial of officers suspected of being involved in the purported October 2025 coup plot.

The minister stated that the accused cops were being given a fair chance to defend themselves and that due process was being followed in the current case.

"The inquiry was extremely comprehensive. The court martial will proceed as scheduled, and the prosecution is now proceeding. We are providing them with every advantage they need to protect themselves.

However, the reality on the ground is really evident, and I can assure you that we are according to every procedure. Nothing is concealed, he declared.

Additionally, the minister insisted that there was no reason for a coup attempt, claiming that the current administration had provided sufficient support for the military services.

"They had no justification for acting in that way. Everything in the country was going great. The military has received excellent attention. Our salaries have never caused us any problems.

"We've even tried to raise our allowances. "Our troops are doing pretty well," he continued.

NGX Price Summary Compilation For the Month of May by Emon Vision

 

Fidelity Bank grows gross earnings by 38% to N434.95 billion in Q1

Fidelity Bank records N92.4 billion Q1 2026 profit

Fidson to allot all N21 billion Rights Issue shares as offer closes oversubscribed

Signature Bank reports stronger 2025 performance as profit rises to ₦3.59bn

Tantalizers signs MoU with Karflex Fisheries to acquire 24 fish trawlers, other assets

Tantalizers Plc uses a fully subscribed private placement to obtain N1.07 billion.

NIGERIA'S STOCK PRICE SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2026

STOCK	TICKER	MAY 15 ENDED PRICE	MAY 22 ENDED PRICE(N)	MAY 29 ENDED PRICE	CHANGE	Dividend	links
Abbey Mortgage Bnk Plc	ABBEY	7.30	7.05	6.35
Access Holding	ACCESSCORP	25.75	24.95	24.05
Aiico Insurance Plc	AIICO		4.64	4.50
Academy Press ..	ACADEMY	7.05	9.15	9.15
African Prudential Plc	AFRICAN PRUDENTIAL		13.95	13.35
Airtel Africa	AIRTELAFRI			3,655.7
Aluminium Extrusion...	ALEX	9.00	9.90	9.90
Aradel Holdings	ARADEL	1,834.00	1,836.00	1,933.80
Associated Bus Com...	ABCTRANS	6.27	9.08	8.25
Austin Laz & Company plc	AUSTINLAZ			3.96
Axamansard Insurance Plc	MANSARD		13.65	13.50
BUA Cement	BUACEMENT	435.00	420.00	420.00
BUA Foods	BUAFOODS	967.00	967.00	967.00
Berger Paints	BERGER	168.60	147.95	147.60
BETA Glass	BETA GLASS		570	570
Cadbury Nigerian Plc	CADBURY		69.00	69.00
CAP Plc	CAP			179.1
CHAMS	CHAMS	4.00	3.95	4.01
Caverton Offshore Support Group	CAVERTON		6.75	6.45
C & I Leasing PLC	CAVERTON		6.60	6.10
Champion Brew	CHAMPIO	14.55	13.85	13.05
Computer Warehouse Gro..	CWG	24.800	23.000	24.000
CONOIL PLC	CONOIL			194
Coronation Infastructure Fund	CNIF		110.00	110.00
Chemical And Allied...	CAP	233.70	199.00	179.10
Corner Stone Insurance co.	CORNERSTONE		5.85	5.90
Consolidated Hallmark Holdings	CONHALL PLC		5.85	6.25
Curtix plc	Curtix		3.19	3.10
Custodian & Allied Plc	Curtix			83
Dangote Sugar Refineries	DANGSUG	91.00	87.00	71.15
Dangote Cement	DANGCEM	1,180.00	1,180.00	1,180.00
Daar Communications PLC	DAARCOM	2.25	2.09	1.95
Deap Capital Management & Trust	DEAPCAP			5.68
Ella Lakes	ELLAHLA	10.95	10.05	10.05
ETERNA Plc	ETERNA		34.35	34.45
Eunisell Interlink plc	EUNISELL		209.95	209.95
Nigerian Enamel Ware Company	EENAMELWARE	37.00	37.95	37.00
E-Tranzact International PLC	E-TRANZACT		17.10	18.00
First HoldCo	FIRSTHOLD	70.00	70.00	70.00
FCMB Group PLC	FCMB		11.55	11.70
FTN Cocoa Process...	FTNCOCO	8.90	9.90	8.95
Fortis Global Insurance Plc	FTGINSURE		1.08	1.00
Fidelity Bank Plc	FIDELTYBK	42.12	42.12	21.20
Fidson	FIDSON	136.50	136.50	136.50
GEREGU Power Plc	GEREGU		1,132.00	1,132.50
Golden Guinea Brew. Plc	FIDSON			7.1
Guaranty Trust Holdings	GTCO	146.80	145.00	137.00
Guinness Nigeria Plc	GUINNES	402.60	402.60	402.60
Haldane McCall	HMCALL		3.60	3.84
Honey Well Flour Mills	HONEYWELL		18.15	18.20
Initiate Plc	TIP	32.30	33.80	28.40
Industrial & Medical Gases	IMG	42.30	38.10	38.10
IKEJA Hotel Plc	IKEJA		38.00	40.20
Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank	INFINITY		9.35	9.35
International Breweries Plc	INTBREW			12.65
International Energy Insurance	INTENEG	2.79	3.41	4.52
Jaiz Bank	JAIZBANK	9.00	8.97	9.10
John Holt Plc	JOHN HOLT		18.80	16.95
Japaul Gold Ventures	JAPAULGOLD	3.34	3.82	3.75
Juli Plc	JULI		7.25	7.25
Julius Berger	JBERGER	315.00	315.00	315.00
Lafarge Africa	WAPCO	337.00	342.00	342.00
Lasaco Assurance Plc	LASACO			2.08
Learn Africa Plc	LEARNAFRCA	10.85	12.90	12.75
Legend Internet Plc	Legend		6.12	6.06
Livestock Feeds	LFL	9.80	8.90	9.35
Living Trust Mortgage Bank	LIVINGTRUST		4.07	4.01
Linkage Trust Assurance Plc	LINKAGE		1.73	1.78
MTN Nigeria	MTN	820.00	820.00	820.00
Maybaker	MAYBAKER	47.30	50.00	46.70
Morison Industrial PLC	MORISON		10.62	10.62
Mutual Benefit Assurance	MBENEFI	4.30	4.70	4.39
Mecure Industries PLC	MECURE	94.90	94.90	94.90
Mc Nichols plc	MCNICHOLS		8.00	8.70
Meyer Plc	MEYER		20.60	20.60
Multiverse Plc	MULTIVERSE			25.65
National salt co. Nig. ltd	NASCON	220.00	210.00	220
New mont corp	NEM	30.00	30.00	32.90		1.50/per share
NEIMETH International Pharmaceutical	NEIMETH		10.30	10.20
Nigerian Exchange	NGXGROUP		149.50	149.50
Nigerian Breweries	NB	86.95	86.00	83.60
Nestle Nigeria	NESTLE	3,125.00	3,125.00	3,125.00
Nigerian aviation handling ..hco	NAHCO	205.00	201.900	189.50
Nothern Nigerian Flour Mills	N.NIGERIAN FLOUR		79.40	79.40
NPF Microfinance Bank	NPFMCRF	5.76	5.76	5.74
NCR (Nigeria) PLC	NCR	179.00	161.20	161.20
Oando	OANDO		52.50	51.00
Okomu Oil Palm	OKOMUOI		1,750.00	1,750.00
Omatek Ventures Plc	OMATEK		1.90	1.99
Premier Paints plc	PREMIER PAINTS	37.50		33.75
Presco PLC	PRESCO	2,300.00	2,300.00	2,300.00
Prestige Assurance..	PRESTIGE	1.50	1.55	1.56
PZ Cussons Nigeria	PZ		102.00	98.00
Redstarex	REDSTAR	31.90	34.95	34.00
Regency Alliance Insurance	REDSTAR			1.01
RT Briscoe			14.06	13.65
Royal Exchange			1.48	1.50
Sterling Financial	STERLINGNG		7.90	7.90
SCOA Plc	SCOA	33.05	33.05	33.05
Secure Electronic Technology	SET	0.87	0.88	0.86
Seplat Petroleum	SEPLAT		11,486.20	11,486.20		N113/Per share
Sky Way Aviation Handling CO	SKYAVN		156.95	156.95
STANBIC IBTC Holdings..	IBTC	163.00	174.50	169.35
Soveriegn Trust Insurance plc	SOVERIEGN TRUST		2.28	2.75
SFS Real Estate Investment Trust	SFSREIT		418.17	418.80
Sunnu Assurance Ltd	SUNNU		4.52	4.44
STERLING Financials Holding	STERLING FINANCIAL		7.90	7.90
Transnational Corperation of Nigeria	TRANSCORP		47.750	46.00
Trans Nationwide Express	TRANS EXPRESS		5.72	5.28
Transcorp Hotels plc	TRANSCOHOT			223.30
Transcorp Power Plc	TRANSCOP POWER		272.00	245.50
Tantalizer	TANTALIZER	4.38	4.13	4.89			Tantalizers signs MoU with Karflex Fisheries.....
Total Energies Marketing Nigeria plc	TOTAL		640.00	640.00
Tripple Gee and Company Ltd	TRIPPLE GEE		3.96	3.98
UBA	UBA		45.00	44.50
UH Investment Trust	UHOMREIT		84.70	84.70
United Capital	UCAP		18.50	18.65
Unilever Nigeria	UNILEVE		168.00	156.00
Union Dicon Salt PLC	UNION DICON		21.70	23.75
United Capital Plc	UNITED CAPITAL		18.50	18.65
UAC Of Nigeria	UACN		189.95	183.00
University Press Plc			6.40	6.15
Universal Insurance Plc	UNIVERSAL		1.08	1.12
Unity Bank plc	UNITYBNK			1.51
UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust	UPDC	10.70	10.15	4.40
Veritas Kapital Insurance PLC	VERITAS		1.67	1.65
VFD Group PLC	VFDGROUP		9.95	10.80
Vitafoam Nig	VITAFOAM		194.00	194.00
Wema Bank	WEMABANK		33.40	33.50
Zenith Bank	ZENITHB		132.00	131.10
Zichis Agro Allied	ZICHIS	29.43	33.65	33.00

The Politics of Perpetual Candidacy: Atiku Abubakar Endless Presidential Quest

By Engr Chiamaka Nnadigwe

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come closer to Nigeria’s presidency than most opposition politicians in Nigeria's modern democratic history. He possesses national name recognition, extensive political networks, enormous campaign experience, and a reputation as one of the country’s most formidable political strategists. Yet despite multiple attempts, he has consistently failed to secure the presidency.

For more than three decades, he has remained one of the most persistent figures in Nigerian politics. Election after election, coalition after coalition, party after party, he has continued to seek the presidency with unwavering determination. To his supporters, this persistence represents resilience, democratic commitment, and experience. 

To his critics, however, it symbolizes a political culture unable to renew itself a cycle of ambition detached from electoral reality.

With his latest political offensive against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Atiku is once again positioning himself as the national alternative. He has accused the APC government of worsening poverty despite the removal of fuel subsidy, intimidating opposition voices, weakening democratic pluralism, and failing to prioritize healthcare and education. His renewed campaign language frames him not merely as a contestant, but as a corrective force determined to reverse what he describes as institutional decay.

Yet the larger political question remains unavoidable: what do we call a politician who repeatedly contests for the highest office despite serial defeats?

Historically, politics has produced many such figures. In democratic systems, they are often described as “perennial candidates” politicians whose identities become permanently tied to repeated electoral ambition. The phrase is not always flattering. It can imply persistence bordering on obsession, or ambition that survives beyond changing public sentiment.

Nigeria itself has seen similar figures. Chief Obafemi Awolowo contested multiple presidential races before becoming immortalized more for ideology than electoral victory. Nnamdi Azikiwe spent decades pursuing national influence through different constitutional eras. Around the world, the pattern repeats itself. In the United States, William Jennings Bryan contested the presidency three times unsuccessfully but remained deeply influential in shaping populist politics. France’s Jean-Marie Le Pen repeatedly sought the presidency before his political movement eventually gained broader acceptance through a new generation.

However, there is also a darker interpretation of perpetual candidacy in African politics. It can reveal the weakness of party institutions and the inability of political systems to cultivate generational succession. When the same names dominate presidential ballots for decades, democracy risks becoming rotational rather than transformational. Younger politicians struggle to emerge, new ideas become trapped beneath old rivalries, and elections begin to resemble recurring historical battles rather than future-oriented contests.

 Atiku’s latest criticism of the APC taps into genuine national anxieties. The rising cost of living, insecurity, pressure on democratic institutions, and deteriorating public welfare systems are real concerns affecting millions of Nigerians. His emphasis on healthcare and education reflects sectors many citizens believe have been neglected despite repeated promises by successive administrations.

Still, the challenge before Atiku is not merely diagnosing Nigeria’s problems. It is convincing Nigerians that a man who has pursued the presidency for years without success can suddenly become the transformative answer the country seeks. Persistence in politics can be admirable, but it can also become symbolic of a political establishment unable to reinvent itself.

But Why is Atiku Abubakar Keeps Falling Short of the Presidency?

His repeated losses are not the result of a single weakness. Rather, they reflect a combination of structural, regional, personal, and historical factors that have followed him through successive election cycles.

1. The Burden of Perpetual Presidential Ambition: One of the biggest political liabilities against Atiku is the perception that he has “always wanted to be president.” In many democracies, persistence can be admired. But in Nigeria, prolonged presidential ambition can also generate voter fatigue. For decades, Atiku has remained almost permanently in campaign mode. To critics, this creates the image of a politician driven more by personal ambition than by ideological transformation.  If he really wants transform the society he should embark on projects and philanthropy that resonates with the societal needs example Tony Elumelu famous foundation of lifting entrepreneurs. Many younger voters especially view him as part of an old political order that has dominated Nigeria for too long without fundamentally changing the country’s fortunes. This perception weakens the emotional excitement that often powers successful presidential campaigns.

2. Trust Deficit and Corruption Allegations: Although Atiku has never been convicted of corruption, allegations and suspicions have followed him throughout his political career. His years in customs administration, business dealings, and tenure as vice president created a public image opponents have repeatedly weaponized. In Nigerian politics, perception often matters more than legal outcomes. Rival parties have consistently framed him as a symbol of elite accumulation and privatization-era controversies. For undecided voters, especially urban middle-class voters, this trust deficit has remained a recurring obstacle. His opponents have successfully turned elections into referendums on integrity rather than competence alone.

2. 
   
3.  Northern Muslim Political Saturation: Atiku’s political identity is also shaped by Nigeria’s delicate regional and religious balancing system. As a northern Muslim politician, he operates within a crowded power structure where multiple influential figures compete for the same political base. In several elections, northern votes fragmented among powerful candidates such as Muhammadu Buhari, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Bola Tinubu’s APC coalition. Buhari in particular dominated the northern emotional and populist space for years, making it difficult for Atiku to emerge as the unquestioned northern political champion. Even after Buhari’s exit, Atiku struggled against Tinubu’s coalition machinery and shifting regional calculations.

2. Weak Emotional Connection with the Masses: Atiku is widely respected as intelligent, cosmopolitan, and experienced. However, presidential victories often require more than elite respect; they require emotional connection. Buhari built an image of austere discipline and anti-corruption populism. Tinubu cultivated the image of a master political organizer and kingmaker. Peter Obi later tapped into youth frustration and reformist energy. Atiku, by contrast, has frequently appeared technocratic and establishment-oriented. His campaigns often emphasize policy, restructuring, investment, and economic reform, but they sometimes struggle to create the emotional movement that converts admiration into mass political devotion. He is often viewed as a negotiator rather than a political phenomenon.

2. Frequent Party Switching: Another factor that has damaged Atiku politically is his long history of party movement. Over the years, he has moved between the PDP, ACN alliance structures, and other political arrangements before returning to the PDP. While Nigerian politicians frequently change parties, repeated movement can create an impression of ideological inconsistency. Critics portray him as politically flexible to the point of opportunism, weakening his credibility among voters seeking conviction and stability. In modern politics, authenticity matters heavily, and party switching can erode that perception.

2. The APC’s Superior Political Machinery: Even when Atiku performed strongly electorally, he often faced opponents with stronger grassroots structures and state-level coordination.The APC’s victories under Buhari and Tinubu were not based solely on popularity. They were powered by highly organized political networks across states, strategic alliances, governors, religious influencers, and regional power brokers. Atiku has repeatedly come close because he remains nationally competitive, but presidential elections in Nigeria are rarely won by popularity alone. They are won through coalition-building, logistical coordination, institutional leverage, and turnout engineering. His opponents consistently built broader electoral coalitions at critical moments.

2. The Burden of Being “The Familiar Alternative”: Ironically, Atiku’s greatest strength his long national visibility  may also be one of his biggest weaknesses. Nigerians already know him well. Unlike fresh political entrants who benefit from mystery and hope, Atiku carries decades of political baggage, public assumptions, elite rivalries, and historical controversies. Voters seeking radical change may see him as too familiar to represent true transformation. This became especially visible during the rise of Peter Obi’s movement, where many younger voters rejected both APC and PDP establishment figures simultaneously.

2. Timing and Political Luck: Politics also depends heavily on timing. Some politicians encounter the right national mood at the right moment. Others repeatedly collide with unfavorable political climates. Atiku’s strongest period arguably came during the 2019 election against Buhari, when economic frustration was already rising. Yet Buhari still retained deep northern loyalty and incumbency advantage. By 2023, opposition votes fragmented significantly between Atiku and Peter Obi, indirectly strengthening Tinubu’s pathway to victory. History shows that even highly capable politicians can spend entire careers narrowly missing the moment history demands them.

2. Between Persistence and Political Exhaustion:  Atiku’s repeated presidential attempts place him in a complicated historical category. He is neither politically irrelevant nor electorally dominant. He remains perpetually competitive without becoming inevitable. To supporters, this persistence demonstrates courage and democratic consistency. To critics, it reflects the inability of Nigeria’s political elite to produce generational renewal. His story ultimately reflects a larger Nigerian political reality: elections are not won merely by experience, wealth, or visibility. They are won by timing, emotional momentum, coalition engineering, regional balancing, and public trust — areas where Atiku has repeatedly been strong, but never strong enough simultaneously. That is why he continually comes close, yet continually falls short.

In many democracies, repeated candidacy eventually produces one of two outcomes: historical vindication or political exhaustion. Abraham Lincoln lost multiple elections before eventually becoming one of America’s most consequential presidents. Conversely, many other perennial candidates faded into political folklore as symbols of ambition that outlived momentum.

Nigeria may soon determine which category Atiku ultimately belongs to. For now, his politics can best be described as the politics of endurance  a relentless belief that history may still grant him the victory elections repeatedly denied him. Whether Nigerians see that endurance as courage or as political repetition may define the next chapter of the country’s democracy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dangote Refinery Powers Nigeria’s Skies, Fuels Europe But Is One Giant Too Much for Africa’s Energy Future?

 

The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has delivered one of the strongest endorsements yet of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, describing it as a critical pillar sustaining Nigeria’s aviation industry at a time of global fuel volatility.

At the heart of this endorsement is a striking statistic: the refinery now supplies over 95% of Nigeria’s Jet A1 aviation fuel, effectively becoming the backbone of domestic airline operations.

But the influence of the refinery extends far beyond Nigeria’s borders. Within just weeks, it exported 1.1 billion litres of aviation fuel to Europe, positioning Nigeria as a key player in stabilising global aviation fuel supply chains.

From Local Giant to Global Lifeline

The rise of the Dangote Refinery comes at a moment when global energy markets are under stress. Europe, for instance, has been grappling with jet fuel shortages due to disruptions in the Middle East, forcing it to turn to alternative suppliers including Nigeria.

This shift has elevated the refinery into a strategic global asset. What was originally built to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports is now helping keep European aviation running.

Domestically, its impact is equally profound. With a daily capacity far exceeding Nigeria’s aviation fuel needs, the refinery has eliminated chronic supply shortages that once plagued airlines, providing a level of stability the sector has not seen in decades. 

Kenya and East Africa Look to Replicate the Model

Dangote’s success is already inspiring replication across the continent. According to recent developments, Kenya and several East African nations are exploring a joint refinery project, aimed at reducing reliance on imported refined petroleum products. Interestingly, Aliko Dangote himself has expressed readiness to build or lead such a refinery, signaling a potential expansion of his influence into East Africa. This reflects a broader continental shift: African nations are beginning to recognise that refining locally is not just economic it is strategic.

The Monopoly Question: Strength or Systemic Risk? While the achievements of the Dangote Refinery are undeniable, they raise a critical question: Is it healthy for one private player to dominate such a vital sector?

1. Market Dominance

With over 95% control of aviation fuel supply, Dangote effectively holds near-monopoly power in Nigeria’s Jet A1 market. This creates efficiency but also pricing power and dependency risks. Already, there are concerns. Despite increased local supply, jet fuel prices have surged, putting pressure on airlines and threatening operations.

2. Supply Vulnerability: If a single refinery accounts for the majority of supply, any disruption—technical, financial, or political, could cripple the entire aviation ecosystem overnight.

3. Limited Competition: Oil marketers have already hinted at the need to retain import options, suggesting discomfort with a single-source supply structure.  Competition typically drives efficiency, innovation, and price moderation. Without it, even a high-performing refinery can unintentionally create market distortions.

The Bigger Picture: One Dangote or Many Builders? The Dangote Refinery proves what is possible:, Africa can refine at scale, Nigeria can export energy, not just crude,  Global markets will buy African products. But its dominance also highlights what is missing, more refineries, more investors, more competition. For Nigeria and Africa the real opportunity may not be choosing between Dangote and others, but replicating Dangote’s ambition across multiple players.

Conclusion: A Triumph with a Warning: Dangote Refinery is both a national triumph and a structural test case It has  Stabilized Nigeria’s aviation fuel supply, Positioned the country as a global exporter, Inspired regional industrial ambition, Yet, it also underscores a delicate truth, energy security built on one giant is powerful but fragile.

The next phase for Nigeria and Africa will not just be about celebrating Dangote’s success, but about ensuring that no single refinery becomes too big to replace or too powerful to challenge.