President Tinubu Hails Dangote Refinery as Landmark Industrial Achievement in Nigeria’s Economic Future
June 9, 2025 — Lagos, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex as a monumental symbol of industrial advancement and economic sovereignty for Nigeria, describing the massive undertaking as “a phenomenal project of our time.” The commendation came during an official tour of the Lekki-based facility, where the President also commissioned the newly completed Deep Sea Port Access Road, part of broader infrastructure upgrades initiated during his tenure as Lagos State Governor.
Speaking before an audience of business magnates, government officials, and the media, President Tinubu showered praise on Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, for his bold vision and consistent investment in Nigeria’s industrial future.
“Inspecting this refinery today affirms what is possible when private enterprise meets purposeful governance,” Tinubu declared. “This is not just an oil refinery. It is a benchmark, a point of reference in our economic journey. Alhaji Aliko Dangote has once again demonstrated that our best minds and capital can build for the future, right here at home.”
The President was joined by notable figures from Nigeria’s business elite, including Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, and Samad Rabiu. However, he reserved special acclaim for Dangote, calling him “the wisest among them” for his daring and patriotic business acumen.
In his own remarks, Dangote thanked President Tinubu for fostering a more conducive economic environment, crediting recent reforms — particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification — for supporting long-term investment. He emphasized that the refinery represents not just an industrial milestone but a direct contribution to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency agenda.
“Our mission has always been to produce what Nigeria consumes,” Dangote said. “From cement to fertiliser and now petroleum products, we’ve consistently reduced import dependency while creating jobs and generating foreign exchange.”
The refinery, one of the world’s largest single-train facilities, is now exporting refined products to countries such as the United States and Saudi Arabia. It is part of a broader ecosystem of investments, including the adjoining deep-sea port and an 8-road infrastructure network valued at N900 billion — a majority of which the Dangote Group is funding privately.
Highlighting the scale of the Group’s commitment, Dangote revealed that his company paid N450 billion in taxes last year and has pledged a further N900 billion to road development. Two of the newly built roads will connect Nigeria directly with Chad and Cameroon through Borno State.
In a symbolic gesture, Dangote announced that the primary access route to the refinery will now be named “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road” in honor of the President’s foundational role in the Lekki Free Trade Zone concept and his ongoing support for private-sector growth.
President Tinubu’s visit to the refinery marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s industrial renaissance. As global energy dynamics shift and local production becomes paramount, the Dangote Refinery stands not only as an engineering marvel but as a testament to the transformative power of local enterprise aligned with national vision.
