Abdulsamad Rabiu

BUA became Nigeria's second-largest cement producer in a market dominated by three groups, fuelling debate about the oligopoly's pricing power over an essential product.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated

The rivalry between Rabiu and Dangote escalated into personal accusations in 2023, with Dangote claiming, among other things, that Rabiu had encouraged a money laundering investigation targeting him. In 2026, Le Monde again described the dispute as a major episode in their rivalry while noting a subsequent easing of tensions.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

Drivers at BUA Cement's Obu-Okpella plant alleged that approximately 700 of them had been dismissed after protesting their exclusion from benefits linked to a 30-billion-naira employee package. They also criticised the absence of severance payments and certain employee benefits.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Following a three-month investigation, the FCCPC announced in August 2026 that it had found indications justifying an in-depth investigation into possible manipulation of cement prices. BUA Cement is among the leading producers in a highly concentrated market and falls within the scope of the sector review.

State of the evidence

Documented

Former Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director Hadiza Bala Usman publicly maintained that the termination of a BUA concession resulted from documented contractual breaches and accused BUA and its chairman of misrepresenting the facts.

State of the evidence

Disputed

BUA and Dangote publicly clashed over mining rights around Okpella, each accusing the other of encroaching on its licences. Rabiu requested intervention by President Buhari.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

BUA and Dangote clashed publicly over the sugar market. Competitors accused BUA of circumventing the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan through its free-zone refinery; Rabiu responded by accusing Dangote of seeking a monopoly and manipulating prices.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Attribution

Directly implicated

Publications linked BUA Group to an allegation of 20 million dollars in corruption surrounding OML 110. BUA publicly described the accusation as false and defamatory and announced legal action against those disseminating it.