By Firdaus Jibril
The Federal Government and the Niger State Government have aligned efforts to leverage the Dangote Group facilities to boost domestic energy production and food security across Nigeria.
This came as the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, alongside Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, conducted an executive facility tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.
The high-level delegation highlighted how public-subnational collaboration with private industrial giants can accelerate industrialization, shrink import dependency, and secure vital economic supply chains.
Governor Bago’s inclusion underscores the growing interest of state governments in tapping into domestic fertilizer production capacity to power agricultural industrialization initiatives particularly in major agricultural hubs like Niger State.
Speaking, 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.
Speaking during the visit, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, urged the Federal Government to place industrialisation at the centre of its economic strategy, insisting that no nation has attained prosperity without a strong manufacturing base.
“There is no way to create jobs and prosperity without industrialisation,” Dangote said. “The greatest attraction for foreign investors is the success of domestic investors. When local investors thrive, they send a powerful signal that the environment is conducive for investment.”
The industrialist revealed that Dangote Industries recently raised an unsecured and unrated bond at rates below Nigeria’s sovereign benchmark, demonstrating growing investor confidence in credible Nigerian private-sector institutions.
According to him, the successful fundraising underscores the ability of Nigerian companies to mobilise long-term capital when supported by stable and predictable government policies.
Dangote also praised Senator Enoh’s dedication to industrial development.
“We have worked with many Ministers of Industry over the years, but I can confidently say that his commitment is exceptional. His ministry will play a critical role in attracting investment, creating jobs and driving the President’s one trillion-dollar economy agenda.”
He emphasized that policy consistency remains the most important factor in attracting investment, stressing that frequent policy reversals undermine investor confidence more than the absence of incentives.
Reflecting on the refinery project, Dangote described it as the biggest business risk of his life, recalling how many financiers doubted the project would ever be completed.
Despite challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and foreign exchange volatility to skepticism from lenders, he said the successful delivery of the refinery demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs to execute projects of global significance.
“What we have achieved here has never been done before on this scale. Once one person succeeds, many others will be encouraged to follow,” he said.
Dangote disclosed that the refinery, at full capacity, will account for the equivalent of about 10 per cent of the United States’ refining capacity and consume approximately 2.5 per cent of globally traded crude oil.
He urged government to continue supporting indigenous investors, describing them as the country’s most important drivers of employment, foreign exchange generation and long-term economic resilience.
“If Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth and become a trillion-dollar economy, industrialisation must be the foundation. Indigenous investors remain the strongest catalysts for that transformation,” Dangote stated.