Fact Check: Does Sinclair Oil Refinery have the same size as Dangote Refinery?

Afrobeats singer Seun Kuti has sparked controversy with a video on Instagram, accusing Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, of receiving undue government support. Kuti claimed that the Federal Government invested $2 billion in Dangote Refinery for a 20% stake, while the same amount was used to purchase the entire Sinclair Refinery in America, which he alleged is of similar size. However, experts have disputed Kuti’s claims.

The Dangote Refinery, launched in May 2023 and operational since January 2024, is reportedly the world’s largest single-train facility, with a 650,000bpd capacity. In contrast, Sinclair Oil Company operates two refineries in Wyoming with a combined capacity of 110,000bpd. While Sinclair Refinery was indeed sold to HollyFrontier Corporation in August 2021 for $2.6 billion, the comparison between the two refineries is misleading.

Professor Dayo Ayoade, an energy expert at the University of Lagos, debunked Kuti’s claims, stating that the Dangote Refinery is significantly larger and more modern than Sinclair Refinery. Ayoade emphasized that Kuti’s lack of expertise in energy matters makes his claims unreliable.

The Federal Executive Council authorized the acquisition of a 20% stake in Dangote Refinery for $2.76 billion in August 2021, but Dangote recently revealed that the government’s stake has reduced to 7.2%. The Dangote Refinery has been ranked the seventh largest refinery in the world, while Sinclair Refinery did not make the top 10 list.

In conclusion, Seun Kuti’s claims about the government’s investment in Dangote Refinery and its comparison to Sinclair Refinery have been discredited by experts, rendering his statement false.