Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung, has called for the total privatization of Nigeria’s oil sector, describing public refineries as obsolete structures used to siphon national resources.
Speaking in an interview, Dalung pointed to the Dangote Refinery as a model of progress, emphasizing that private ownership can drive efficiency and accountability in the sector. According to him, continued government control has only encouraged corruption and mismanagement.
He did not hold back in his criticism of the fuel subsidy removal policy, calling it a “monumental scam,” as he argued that the supposed gains have not translated into real benefits for the average Nigerian. “Nigerians are yet to feel any meaningful impact, despite the government boasting of increased revenues,” he said.
Dalung also referenced the unresolved cases of subsidy fraud involving 16 companies under the previous administration. While 2 were cleared, he noted that investigations into the remaining 14 were quietly abandoned.
He concluded by stressing that unless the sector is fully removed from government influence and corruption is tackled head-on, meaningful reform will remain a mirage.
