Lifestyle
“How An International NGO Tried To Pay Me To Discredit Dangote Refinery” – David Hundeyin
By Benjamin Abioye
Renowned investigative journalist, author, and filmmaker, David Hundeyin, has publicly revealed an alleged plot to discredit Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery.
Hundeyin, who is also the founder of West Africa Week, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to expose what he described as an orchestrated effort by external interests, working alongside local collaborators, to hinder the progress of the newly established refinery.
In a detailed post, Hundeyin disclosed that he was approached by an international NGO, Dialogue Earth, formerly known as China Dialogue Trust, with an offer of N800,000 to write an article criticizing the Dangote Refinery. The NGO, headed by Oxford professor Sam Geall, reportedly sought to have Hundeyin pen an article portraying the refinery as an environmental hazard, using arguments centered around “Environmental Concerns,” “Climate Change,” and “Energy Transition Policy.”
Hundeyin explained that while the initial offer seemed legitimate, he soon suspected an ulterior motive. After accepting the offer to gain access to the brief, he uncovered what he described as a deliberate attempt to use a local voice to create a narrative that could justify shutting down or limiting the operations of the refinery under the guise of Nigeria’s “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy.”
The journalist further alleged that Dialogue Earth is funded by American intelligence fronts such as the Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks, organizations he claimed are known for supporting causes that align with American interests at the expense of developing nations. He pointed out that while these organizations did not previously show concern for the environmental and health impacts of European refiners blending West African fuel with toxic waste, they are now opposing Nigeria’s move to refine its own oil.
“I’m putting this out there publicly so that nobody will henceforth use the term ‘conspiracy theory’ when it is pointed out for the umpteenth time, that there are American and European state and private interests that are heavily invested in keeping Africa exactly as poor as it is,” Hundeyin stated. He argued that these interests are threatened by the possibility of Nigeria gaining control over its oil refining process, which would reduce dependency on foreign refiners.
Hundeyin’s post has sparked widespread conversation, with many lauding his decision to expose what they see as a neocolonial attempt to keep Africa in a state of economic subservience. The journalist emphasized his belief that it is Africa’s prerogative to determine its own energy policies without interference from external forces, particularly those with a history of exploiting the continent.
In closing, Hundeyin reaffirmed his stance, stating, “I might not be a fan of Aliko Dangote or his monopolistic business practices… but I’m also smart enough to know when rich white men in DC, Houston, Rotterdam, and London are trying to use me as a marionette in their 400-year-old coloniser games. It will never be me.”
“I debated long and hard whether to do this publicly, but I think a message needs to be sent to a group of external interests working in tandem with the internal interests described in the quoted tweet to counteract the interests of half a billion West Africans. A message that at whatever level we exist, we take our destiny seriously and we are not to be trifled with.
Last week, I received an N800,000 offer from an international NGO called Dialogue Earth (formerly known as China Dialogue Trust) to write an article essentially saying that Dangote Refinery is terrible for the environment because something something “Environmental Concerns,” something something “Climate Change,” something something “Energy Transition Policy,” something something “COP 28.”
The (unstated but clearly implied) thrust of the brief was for a prominent local voice to put their name on an article that is an argument or a premise for the the Nigerian government to kill the refinery based on its “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy.” This conclusion wasn’t immediately apparent when they reached out to me, but I suspected where it was heading, and I quickly accepted the offer so that I could see the brief and obtain hard evidence. I’ve attached screenshots from the brief below.
Basically, this London-based NGO is headed by Sam Geall, an Oxford professor and is funded by several American intelligence fronts such as Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks (which is blacklisted in India for funding organisations working against India’s national interest). For whatever reason, it is now quietly mobilising a resistance campaign against what it describes as “Nigeria’s first refinery.” Apparently, the status quo of Africa’s largest oil producer having no functioning oil refinery to beneficiate its own oil was not a problem for Dialogue Earth and the American CIA fronts who fund it.
The human poverty caused by exporting this raw material and importing refined fuel was not bad for the environment. Also, the fact of European refiners regularly blending West African fuel cargoes with toxic waste and sulphur content 200 times the European legal limit (leading to asthma, bronchitis and eye infections in West Africa) was also not bad for the environment. But Nigeria having a refinery that will wean West Africa off import dependency on those European refiners (and allow West Africa control the sulphur content of its own fuels) is where Dialogue Earth and its funders draw the line. That one is bad for the environment, and David Hundeyin should write an article calling for the refinery to be shut down or limited.
I’m putting this out there publicly so that nobody will henceforth use the term “conspiracy theory” when it is pointed out for the umpteenth time, that there are American and European state and private interests that are heavily invested in keeping Africa exactly as poor as it is, and that they regularly push levers most of us do not even know exist, to make sure that this status quo is protected. These people believe that Africans should not exist or have nice things in this world. Apparently, the sole purpose of our existence is to enhance their experience of the planet and all that it has to offer.
It is because of them that I have to make a public spectacle out of this, even though I know that doing this is probably going to cost someone their job. The message needs to be passed that as poor as we are, you cannot convince us to campaign for the elongation of our own poverty by commissioning $500 hack jobs in the hope that we will be greedy enough to only see the money and ignore the bigger picture of what we can clearly see you trying to do.
I will reiterate something I have said multiple times – I am not a believer in the religious faith called Climate Change/Saving The Environment. I care exactly as much about the environment as do the rich white men who destroyed it to begin with. I firmly believe that if what it takes for Africa to industrialise is for it to burn so much fossil fuel that snow stops falling in Wisconsin and it starts raining concentrated sulphuric acid in Doncaster, it is not too big a price for Europe and North America to pay – it is certainly not bigger than the price Africa had to pay for Europe and North America to develop.
It is and will continue to be 100% OUR prerogative to determine what to do with our hydrocarbons. It is not the rich white men hiding behind these “Climate Advocacy NGOs” who will tell us what to do with our energy reserves, and by what means we are allowed to escape the poverty that they engineered for us.
I might not be a fan of Aliko Dangote or his monopolistic business practices – as is well known – but I’m also smart enough to know when rich white men in DC, Houston, Rotterdam and London and trying to use me as a marionette in their 400 year-old coloniser games. If you are reading this and you are one of the rich white men whose economic interests are threatened by Nigeria refining its own oil, you should come out and fight Aliko Dangote by yourself.
Or at least go find a much stupider African to do your dirty job – there’s plenty of those.
It will never be me.”
This revelation highlights the ongoing struggle between African sovereignty and foreign interests, particularly in the energy sector, and raises questions about the lengths to which external entities may go to influence policy and public opinion in Africa.
See some reactions below:
@naijaBoys_Tales: “Dismissing climate change as a “religious faith” is problematic. Climate change is a serious global issue that affects everyone, including Africa. Saying that it’s okay for Africa to burn fossil fuels to the point of destroying the environment just because Europe and North America did it first isn’t a sustainable or fair argument. Instead of framing it as an “us vs. them” issue, wouldn’t it be better to work on ways Africa can develop sustainably, ensuring long-term benefits for everyone?
The idea that international forces are manipulating Africa is a real concern, but we should be careful not to oversimplify or sensationalize complex issues. There are better ways to address these concerns without resorting to divisive rhetoric. Let’s focus on practical solutions that allow for growth and environmental responsibility. Thank you”
@Prinxcharles01: “Mr After God’s Heart.
My research is on the mitigation of GHG emissions and I would tell you this for free.
Africa is not responsible for up to 10% of global emissions and 100 new refineries changes little. The West used the oil revolution to develop themselves, let Africa be!”
@Ashegelu: “I know you intentionally dropped this provocative assessment to gather impressions but still this isn’t going to get you anywhere you fool”
@naijaBoys_Tales: “It’s true that Africa contributes a small percentage to global emissions, but saying that building 100 new refineries “changes little” misses the bigger picture. Adding more refineries without considering the environmental impact can still harm local communities and ecosystems. Plus, while Africa deserves the chance to develop, it doesn’t mean we should ignore the lessons learned from the oil revolution in the West, which came with its own set of environmental and social costs. Development and sustainability can go hand in hand if done right.”
@Uko_Baba: “Sorry to say but you’re really dumb, So it’s ok for G7 countries who contribute more to climate change and ozone layer depletion to continue with it whilst developing their countries but it becomes unfair because an African country wants to have a functioning refinery to better their own economy, some of you need brain reset coz it gives a lot of headache trying to have constructive arguments with people like you. We really have a big problem if there are Nigerians who think like you. We should applaud David for stating the obvious but no you APC rascals will always find a way to rubbish his efforts”
@UnlimitedEniola: “Wow… the same Dialogue Earth asking journalists to apply for a training and grant??? I’d applied for the grant and I decided to send but my mail just crashed.. So, this means they could try to dictate to me too😭😭😭”
@DavidHundeyin: “Na them o. So you know what comes next.”
@MissPearls: “$500 to keep Africa where it is
500 freaking dollars
Who said slave trade ended decades ago?
And I know some other persons would have greedily grabbed this offer with all their appendages
As always I’m proud of you for standing on the path of truth!”
@Adaete1: “First it is an insult to attempt to buy a conscience such as yours for a paltry 800k sum.
Second, it is an even greater insult to make it a much bigger sum with the sole purpose of buying the economic future of Africans and regulating it to doom at will.
Third, did the person not see Bayo Onanuga, Japheth Omojuwa or even Toke Makinwa (item 7/8) to give this dirty offer to? Did they not do their homework on you well? What do they take us for in 2024? Anybody trying to pull this sort of string with your name in 2024, clearly doesn’t respect the best of us!
I wish Africans wake up to the responsibility of securing our collective future beyond discussing entertainment and celebrities.
Well-done David. Your perspicacity, Spidey sense and unwavering love for the truth will pay Africans off, someday. Hopefully. One day, we’ll all wake up. I hope.”
@DailyJusticeAct: “This actually clearly exposes how & why Agbado became Nigerian president in 2023..
There is no further way to explain it..
Remember Peter Obi pointed out he (Peter) received mind blowing offers to sell his country & they would make him president..
This shows clearly that Nigeria’s current Aso Rock is captured for good by the West for a foreseeable future..
This exposure also shows why Peter Obi may never be president..
This piece shows why almost every known personality in current Nigerian illegal regime has US criminal record, yet allowed to govern Nigeria & visit US, without consequences…
All seem to be agents..of the West..
Remember, US said it would not release Agbado’s criminal records because it is not in US best interests..
Chai, & they were prepared to pay only $500.00 for this intelligence hack..
Young man David, please keep safe.. Damn”
@drkenon2: “Really?
Clearly, as it has been, a group of people from the West and within do not want anything good to come out of this country or Africa as a whole.
David, I appreciate this post you put out. You accepted to save your country over greed. This is what we have been saying. If 50% of Africans can behave this way, our continent will begin to see the light of progress/development.
I hope Dangote would use this opportunity to understand that Nigerians have been fighting for him & as well desist from oppressing other smaller businesses.”
@DiohaRachael: “Reason they keep giving us puppets as president. Don’t be surprised that some of them are in the know.
Thank you so much Sir for all you do for humanity. We will never forget”
@LeonnotUris: “You don develop finish, e reach time for me to develop my own, you say my development go make the climate change….no be juju be that? If Presidents of African countries were serious, they would have shut down every NGO that had to do with climate change in Africa years ago.”
@pshegs: “I have been saying these things for over 4 years! This is hard core evidence and a confirmation that neocolonizers are on the move to keep Africa under!
Recently, I was in Namibia and I saw some of the most despicable result of old and new forms of colonization! How can Genocide have been practiced in Namibia before it was done by Hitler, using the same model and team who did in Namibia, killing millions of Namibians and it is not known in African History?
They exterminated them because they refused to sell their people in slave trade, and when these colonizers found diamonds, the aggression increased. Till this day, those colonizers own most of their lands and have turned the country to their own.
Africa is going thru a lot, the least we can do is to wake up and start fighting for our future and stop draining it of all kinds of resources including her youths.”
@LA_daLord: “I said this about the climate change agenda and what the World Economic Forum and Globalist are trying to do. YouTube, TikTok and Instagram banned the video. Only X left it up.”
@marcus_herve: “Beautiful! Beautiful! The west will have to stop with their climate change nonsense. We ain’t falling for that shit. We know their real motives. Btw, 500 bucks is an insult compared to what’s at stake 😄, not saying you would have taken a much bigger cake lol. But on a serious note, the world, especially Africa and particularly Nigeria 🇳🇬 needs men and women who cannot be bought or sold. Your integrity is well noticed and appreciated. Respect!”
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