Renowned Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin has made startling allegations against an international NGO, accusing them of attempting to commission a damaging article about the Dangote Refinery under the guise of environmental concerns.
In a public statement, Hundeyin revealed that Dialogue Earth, formerly known as China Dialogue Trust, offered him 800,000 Naira (approximately $500) to write an article highlighting environmental issues surrounding Nigeria’s first major oil refinery. The journalist claims the unstated but implied objective was to provide grounds for the Nigerian government to potentially shut down or limit the refinery’s operations based on “energy transition commitments” and “environmental policy”.
Hundeyin, known for his critical journalism, stated that he initially accepted the offer to gather evidence of the NGO’s intentions. He has since shared screenshots of the brief he received, which he argues confirms his suspicions.
The London-based Dialogue Earth, headed by Oxford professor Sam Geall, is reportedly funded by organisations such as the Ford Foundation and ClimateWorks. Hundeyin alleges these are “American intelligence fronts”, with ClimateWorks being blacklisted in India for funding organisations working against India’s national interests.
In his statement on X, Hundeyin forcefully rejected the offer, stating, “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.”
He also argued that the NGO’s actions represent a broader pattern of external interests working to maintain Africa’s economic status quo. He pointed out the irony that the refinery, which could reduce West Africa’s dependency on imported fuel and allow better control of fuel quality, is being targeted while previous environmental concerns were seemingly ignored.
Hundeyin’s allegations raise questions about the motivations behind some international NGOs’ activities in developing countries and the complex interplay between environmental concerns and economic development. The journalist’s decision to make this public underscores the ongoing debates about Africa’s right to utilise its natural resources for industrial development versus global environmental considerations.
As of now, Dialogue Earth has not publicly responded to these allegations. The incident highlights the intricate and often contentious relationship between international organisations, local interests, and national development strategies in Africa.