Dangote Refinery critical to Nigerian’s $1trn economy vision, says FG

…Hails Refinery as symbol of Nigeria’s industrial Renaissance …Dangote says manufacturing fastest route to jobs, prosperityBy Udeme Akpan The Federal Government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, pledging deeper collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation. Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, made the declaration on Thursday after leading a high-level delegation from the Ministry on an extensive tour of the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos. The Minister described the integrated industrial complex as one of the most significant investments in Africa and a model for the type of industrial development required to drive Nigeria’s economic growth aspirations.

According to Enoh, the visit further reinforced the central role of large-scale manufacturing in the successful implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Policy, unveiled earlier this year. “You cannot be Minister in charge of Industry and not visit the Dangote Refinery,” Enoh stated. “This facility matters because of what it represents for Nigerian industry, for our people and for the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a one trillion-dollar economy.” He said the refinery has emerged as a powerful symbol of value addition, industrial competitiveness and Nigeria’s growing manufacturing capability.

“The more a country adds value to its products, the more respect it earns globally. The Dangote Refinery stands today as one of the strongest demonstrations of that principle,” he said. The Minister noted that the refinery has fundamentally changed global perceptions of Nigeria by helping to transform the country from a major importer of refined petroleum products into an exporter serving international markets.

“When global supply disruptions occurred, Nigeria was able to export petroleum products to markets in the Middle East and beyond. That is an extraordinary achievement and one that deserves recognition,” he added. Enoh, who was accompanied by directors, regulators and heads of agencies under the Ministry, said the delegation gained a deeper appreciation of the scale, technological sophistication and strategic importance of t…