The Federal Government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, pledging stronger collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.
The Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, made the declaration yesterday 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.
Enoh described the integrated industrial complex as one of Africa’s most significant investments and a model for the kind of large-scale industrial development required to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
According to the minister, the visit further demonstrated the critical role of large-scale manufacturing in implementing the Nigerian Industrial Policy unveiled earlier this year.
“You cannot be minister in charge of industry and not visit the Dangote Refinery,” Enoh said, stressing that the facility represents a major milestone for Nigerian industry and 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.
Enoh noted that the facility had helped change global perceptions of Nigeria by supporting the country’s transition from a major importer of refined petroleum products to an exporter serving international markets.
The minister, who was accompanied by directors, regulators and heads of agencies under his ministry, said the delegation gained a deeper understanding of the scale, technological sophistication and strategic importance of the facilities.
He pledged that the ministry and its agencies would continue to support the refinery and the broader industrialisation agenda.
Speaking during the visit, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, urged the Federal Government to make industrialisation a central pillar of its economic strategy, arguing that no nation has achieved sustainable prosperity without a strong manufacturing base.
Dangote said successful fundraising by Nigerian companies demonstrated their capacity to attract long-term capital when supported by stable and predictable government policies.
He also commended Enoh for his commitment to industrial development, describing his dedication as exceptional and emphasising the ministry’s role in attracting investment, creating jobs and advancing the government’s $1 trillion economic agenda.
Meanwhile, Dangote Cement Plc recorded a 62.3 per cent increase in cement and clinker exports from Nigeria to 1.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, reinforcing the country’s growing position as a regional manufacturing and export hub.
The company’s Profit After Tax also rose by 22.7 per cent to N638.5 billion during the period.
Dangote Cement said it dispatched 20 clinker ships from Nigeria to Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire in the first six months of the year, reflecting increasing demand across West Africa and the growing contribution of exports to its pan-African expansion strategy.
According to its unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, Group revenue increased by 21.4 per cent to N2.514 trillion, while Group EBITDA rose by 25.8 per cent to N1.188 trillion, representing a 47.3 per cent margin.
Earnings per share also climbed by 24.3 per cent to N38.22, while the company ended the period with a strong net cash position of N215.2 billion.
I kept the headline focused on Dangote Cement’s financial performance while connecting the broader refinery development to the government’s industrialisation agenda.
