L-R, President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; During the Minster and Niger State Governor Visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Fertiliser Plant, Lekki Lagos on July 29, 2026.
By Peace Udugba- The Daily Torch media
Dangote says manufacturing remains the fastest route to jobs, investment and national prosperity
The Federal Government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, pledging stronger collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, manufacturing, 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 650,000 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 Africa’s most significant industrial investments and a model for the type of large-scale manufacturing required to drive Nigeria’s economic growth agenda.
L-R, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago; Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited; Devakumar Edwin; During the Minster and Niger State Governor Visit to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Fertiliser Plant, Lekki, Lagos, on July 29, 2026.
According to Enoh, the visit reinforced the central role of 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 said. “This facility matters because of what it represents for Nigerian industry, our people and the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.”
He said the refinery has become a powerful symbol of value addition, industrial competitiveness and Nigeria’s growing manufacturing capacity.
“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.
Enoh noted that the refinery has helped transform Nigeria 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.
The Minister, 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 the facilities.
“I brought members of my team here because I wanted them to see firsthand what this investment represents. It has been a humbling and enlightening experience. We leave with greater knowledge and an even stronger commitment to supporting industrial development in Nigeria,” he said.
Enoh also dismissed concerns over the refinery’s single-train configuration, noting that operations continued uninterrupted even during scheduled maintenance.
“The issues surrounding the single-train configuration are much clearer now. Even during scheduled maintenance, operations continued,” he said.
The Minister pledged that the Ministry and its agencies would remain strong advocates of the refinery and Nigeria’s broader industrialisation agenda.
He added that the Federal Government would continue engaging Dangote Industries Limited through the Industrial Revolution Work Group and ministerial roundtables to address challenges facing manufacturers, particularly access to affordable long-term financing.
He also commended President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, for supporting the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy, describing him as Nigeria’s foremost industrialist whose contributions would be instrumental to achieving the country’s manufacturing targets.
The policy aims to increase manufacturing’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to about 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.
“We want to be judged by the extent to which we implement this policy. Achieving these targets will require a strong partnership between government and industry leaders like Aliko Dangote,” Enoh stated.
Speaking during the visit, Dangote urged the Federal Government to place industrialisation at the centre of its economic strategy, insisting that no nation has achieved lasting 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.”
He disclosed 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 highlights the ability of Nigerian companies to mobilise long-term capital when supported by stable and predictable government policies.
Dangote also praised Senator Enoh’s commitment 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 advancing the President’s $1 trillion economy agenda,” he said.
He stressed that policy consistency remains the single most important factor in attracting investment, warning 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 that many financiers doubted it would ever be completed.
Despite challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign exchange volatility and scepticism 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 production capacity, would account for the equivalent of about 10 per cent of the United States’ refining capacity and process approximately 2.5 per cent of globally traded crude oil.
He urged the Federal Government to continue supporting indigenous investors, describing them as the country’s strongest drivers of employment, foreign exchange earnings and long-term economic resilience.
“If Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth and become a $1 trillion economy, industrialisation must be the foundation. Indigenous investors remain the strongest catalysts for that transformation,” Dangote stated.
