Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote is doubling down on his refinery's role as Nigeria's energy bastion. Heightening Middle East tensions sparked a 26 per cent swell in Brent crude price above $84 a barrel in early March 2026. Global volatility has deranged refineries worldwide, as China banned gasoline and diesel exports, worsening scarcity. So, when Dangote Refinery and NNPC promised a “strategic alliance” to secure Nigeria’s energy future last month, laudations poured in torrents. And why not?