The Nigerian government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) as a cornerstone of her ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.

In a company statement, the 700,000 barrels-per-day credited the government with pledging deeper collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.

It cited the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, with the statement on Thursday after leading a high-level delegation from the Ministry on an extensive tour of the DPRP complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.

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.

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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.

The Minister noted that the refinery has fundamentally changed global perceptions of Nigeria by helping to transform the country 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.

Enoh, who was 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 also dismissed concerns over the refinery’s single-train configuration, noting that operations remained uninterrupted even during maintenance activities.

“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 the broader industrialisation agenda, adding that the government would continue to engage 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 further commended Aliko Dangote for supporting the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy, describing him as “Nigeria’s foremost industrialist” whose contributions would be vital to achieving the country’s manufacturing targets.

The policy aims to increase manufacturing’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to approximately 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, 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 the 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.

The Dangote Cement Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable business practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible growth across Africa, as the company continues to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

The company’s sustainability strategy remains focused on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting local communities, and creating long-term value for stakeholders across its ten African markets.

As part of its decarbonisation and green logistics agenda, Dangote Cement is expanding its alternative-energy transportation programme through the acquisition of an additional 1,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. The initiative is designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve operational efficiency, and reduce dependence on conventional diesel-powered transportation.

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The company also reported significant progress in its environmental performance, earning an upgraded “B” rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its climate and water management initiatives, reflecting growing international recognition of its sustainability efforts.

According to the company, energy optimisation remains a key pillar of its sustainability strategy, with a favourable energy mix contributing to lower production costs while supporting efforts to reduce its carbon footprint across operations.

Commenting on the company’s sustainability agenda, Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Cement Plc, said: “At Dangote Cement, sustainability is not a standalone initiative; it is embedded in the way we operate, invest and grow. As we expand our footprint across Africa, we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact through cleaner energy sources, improved operational efficiency and innovative logistics solutions such as our growing CNG-powered fleet. Our goal is to create lasting value for shareholders while supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future for Africa.”

He added: “We recognize that cement is essential for Africa’s development and infrastructure growth. Therefore, our responsibility is not only to produce quality cement but to do so in a way that minimizes emissions, conserves resources, protects the environment and delivers meaningful benefits to our host communities. Sustainability remains central to our strategy for long-term growth and value creation.”

Dangote Cement’s sustainability agenda extends beyond environmental performance to strong corporate governance and social responsibility. The company maintains a diverse Board with 28 per cent female representation and directors drawn from seven different nationalities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion, diversity and global best practices in governance.

The company also continues to align its sustainability initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on responsible industrialisation, climate action, economic growth and community development.

The company noted that its sustainability performance complements a resilient business model that continues to create shared value for investors, employees, customers, host communities and governments across the continent. The company remains focused on transforming Africa’s industrial landscape while advancing its ambition of becoming one of the most sustainable cement manufacturers globally.

Among others, some of the company’s sustainability highlights include CDP rating upgraded to B for climate and water management, Acquisition of 1,500 additional CNG trucks to support low-carbon transportation and emissions reduction, Continued investment in energy efficiency initiatives across operations, 28% female Board representation and directors from seven nationalities, Sustainability initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Africa’s first fully integrated 2-inch to 48-inch steel pipe induction bending and coating plant is poised to open in Nigeria before end of 2027.

The project completion timeline was disclosed by the Managing Director of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, Chidi Nzerem, during a tour of the Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port, Rivers State by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe.

Ogbe lauded the firm on the significant progress recorded on the project, describing it as a landmark industrial project and a major demonstration of Nigeria’s growing status as a leading hub for oil and gas logistics, engineering, and manufacturing services.

The Brentex Facility is a $50 million investment being developed to provide integrated steel pipe induction bending, heat treatment, testing, and coating services for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and has attracted over $26 million in investments to date.

Ogbe, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to working with industry stakeholders to deepen in-country capacity, promote industrialisation, and expand the scope of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.

He praised Brentex Petroleum Services Limited for its bold investment, resilience, and commitment to developing indigenous capacity, noting that the company’s steady progress on the facility reflected the growing confidence of Nigerian firms in delivering world-class oil and gas infrastructure and engineering solutions.

The Executive Secretary, represented by the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (MED), Esueme Dan Kikile, noted that the emergence of the Brentex Steel Pipe Induction Bending and Coating Facility represents “a direct and tangible response to the quest for in-country capacity in specialised pipeline engineering services,” adding that the project would advance “our collective goal of retaining value, creating jobs, and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leading energy services hub in Africa.”

In a recollection of the beginnings of the company and the project, he disclosed, “We’ve been on this journey with Brentex for over a decade. Today, we’ve seen what you are doing on ground. And that’s actually the whole idea about the equipment component manufacturing initiative of the NCDMB – in-country value addition – and you have been steadfast.”

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The NCDMB boss urged the Management of Brentex to sustain the momentum on the project and maintain the highest standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence, noting that the facility has the potential to become a flagship Nigerian Content asset and a reference point for specialised pipeline engineering services across Africa.

“I’d like to express the Board’s deep appreciation for your investment in our country, and to assure you that you have our support,” he declared, adding, “Whatever we can also do to get the industry to patronise this investment, we’ll do that, because it’s very important that the industry take advantage of what we have in-country.”

In his opening remarks, Nzerem thanked the Executive Secretary and the NCDMB delegation for the visit, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the project and its contribution to the growth of in-country capacity.

He also acknowledged the Board’s support and partnership over the past 10 years, noting that the sustained interventions had been instrumental to the facility’s progress, adding that it was conceived to advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.

Nzerem expressed high hopes that the Board’s support would be sustained.

Responding to an inquiry by the General Manager, Downstream, Project Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Tassalla Tersurgh, on the facility’s contribution to human capital development, the Managing Director said the company would engage NCDMB after facility certification to develop training programmes aligned with the Board’s mandate.

He disclosed that the facility is expected to engage about 200 engineers and other technical personnel, creating employment, technical training, skills transfer and capacity-building opportunities, with the long-term goal of the facility being 100 percent handled and operated by trained Nigerians.

On the strategic importance of the facility, the Project Manager at Brentex, Patrick Anaje, stated that the facility, the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, is expected to transform pipeline engineering services by providing the country’s first fully integrated in-country solution for steel pipe induction bending and coating.

He disclosed that Brentex is currently engaged in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline project, where the company’s new capabilities would be of immense value.

He noted that with an estimated 95 percent of steel pipes currently imported, the facility will enable operators to source specialised pipe induction bending, coating and pipe repair services locally, significantly reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and overseas repairs, shortening project delivery timelines, lowering procurement-related delays and costs, and improving operational efficiency across the oil and gas industry. He added that the project will also deliver significant benefits to the national economy by retaining industry value within Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by top management officials of NCDMB, executives of Brentex Petroleum Services Limited, industry stakeholders, project consultants, contractors, representatives of the host communities of Onne and Ogu, members of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC), and members of the media, who witnessed firsthand the significant progress recorded on the strategic Nigerian Content project.