President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has again, boasted that products coming out of his refinery in Lagos are world standards.
He said that the fact has been proved with the recent exportation of two jet fuel cargoes to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer and a leading integrated oil and gas company globally.
Information has it that Saudi Aramco is the official Saudi Arabian Oil Company, which is a majority state-owned petroleum and natural gas company that is the national oil company of Saudi Arabia.
Speaking when the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) team visited both Dangote Fertiliser Limited and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Dangote said that exporting products to the global markets, especially Saudi Aramco, is because of his refinery’s world-class standards and advanced technologies.
“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco.”
He said that since its production began in 2024, his refinery has steadily increased its output, now reaching 550,000 barrels per day.
The NESG Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, commended Aliko Dangote for establishing the $20 billion refinery – the largest single-train refinery in the world, saying that Nigeria needs more investments of this calibre to reach its $1 trillion economy goal.
“To achieve a $1 trillion economy, much of that must come from domestic investments. I joked during the bus ride that while others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country. “This refinery, fertiliser plant, petrochemical complex, and supporting infrastructure are monumental.
“My hope is that God grants you the strength, courage, and health to realise your ambitions and that in your lifetime, a new Nigeria will emerge.”
Yusuf emphasised that such local industries are essential to Nigeria’s industrialisation and will help foster the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He added that the NESG would continue to advocate for an improved investment climate to attract entrepreneurs, boost development, ensure food security, and address insecurity.
He lamented that Nigeria has become a dumping ground for foreign products and stressed that the country must support its entrepreneurs to become a global player.
“It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, is still dependent on imports to feed its citizens.”
Yusuf also praised Dangote’s bold vision for making Nigeria self-sufficient in several key sectors.
“The NESG is grateful, and I believe the nation is as well. This refinery represents the audacity of courage. It takes immense effort to do what you’ve done and still be standing and smiling.
“Thank you for inspiring us and showing that nothing is impossible. You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter.
“We’ve all read Think Big, but this is truly about thinking big. The message is clear: the private sector can bring about real change.”
Yusuf, alongside NESG board members and stakeholders, toured the refinery and fertiliser plants, lauding the level of investment, technology, and sophistication of young Nigerian engineers running world-class laboratories and central control units.
He acknowledged Dangote’s perseverance and success in overcoming numerous challenges.
