Abstract
Like the Godzilla of the business community, Dangote has historically dominated multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy, notably cement, fertiliser, sugar, and salt, with market shares of 80% and 85.8% in the latter two. As a first mover in cement, he transformed Nigeria into a self-sufficient producer. Researchers have analysed his success and its structural impact. However, his $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery (DPR) faces unprecedented challenges. This study, drawing on interviews and desk research, attributes these difficulties to a ruling coalition led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT)—King Kong. Unlike previous administrations, the PBAT coalition is financially self-reliant and appears to be driven by its own political-economic interests. PBAT, described as prioritising personal interests (Daily Trust, 2024a), appears resistant to Dangote’s historically formidable influence, depriving him of the state-backed advantages he previously enjoyed. Consequently, Dangote’s customary state-inspired advantage is undermined, threatening the success of his refinery, the DPR.