Business
PMI Endorses Dangote Refinery as a Global Benchmark for Project Excellence
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has earned a high commendation from the Global Board members of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The PMI’s Board members led by the Chief of Staff to the global Chief Executive Officer, Lenka Pincot, while on a visit described the facility as a world-class model of excellence in project execution and remarkable demonstration of global project management standards.
Biztellers reports that they were on a visit to Nigeria and were hosted by the executive members of the Dangote Group in-house Community of Practice for Project Management which led them on tour of the world largest single train refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Plant, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The international delegation which was overwhelmed by the scale and sophistication of the refinery complex were full of praises for the management for the refinery project’s scale, precision, and alignment with international benchmarks in project delivery.”
Pincot, who stood in for the PMI Global CEO in her remark expressed the Institute’s admiration of the refinery’s execution and its transformative impact on the people, Nigeria and global energy landscape describing it as a living embodiment of PMI’s purpose.
She spoke while being received by the Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwi, in his office after the tour of the Refinery complex.
Pincot said: “At PMI, we have a clear purpose, we maximise project success to elevate our world. This Guinness World Record project is a beautiful example of that purpose in action.
“Everything we’ve seen here is awe-inspiring. Beyond the structures and systems, we also see the broader impact you’re creating for your country, your economy, your people, and the environment. You’ve essentially built an entire ecosystem.”
She added that the PMI looked forward to strengthening collaboration with Dangote Industries, particularly in sharing learning experiences and project insights with the PMI’s global community. “We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Dangote Industries. “There is so much the global project management community can learn from this achievement, from the scale of ambition to the discipline of execution. By sharing these insights and lessons, we can inspire and equip professionals around the world to deliver projects that truly elevate societies.”
During his presentation on the making of the Refinery, the Devakumar, attributed the success of the refinery and other major projects under the Dangote Group to the company’s strong foundation in structured project management and meticulous planning, noting “The Dangote Group is particularly known for its disciplined project management approach and robust structuring.”
He stated further that “This is reflected in the detailed groundwork we put in place long before executing any project, as seen in our other businesses, cement, sugar, salt and fertiliser. From inception, the refinery project has been guided by a well-defined framework of planning, risk management, and execution discipline that aligns with global project standards. This consistency across our businesses has been key to delivering large-scale, world-class projects that make a tangible impact on Nigeria’s economy and Africa’s industrial growth.”
Nglan Niat, Group Chief Human Resource Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, also spoke on the company’s deliberate investments in developing internal project management capabilities and fostering a culture of excellence across its operations.
She explained; “We embarked on a strategic partnership with PMI and procured 300 PMI licenses to ensure a strong and sustainable pipeline of certified professionals,” she explained. “Last year, we launched the Project Management Development Program, designed to build internal capacity and embed a culture of disciplined execution, accountability, and efficiency in how we deliver projects across the Group.
“Each participant was carefully selected based on their role, relevance, and contribution to strategic projects. Our first cohort kicked off in October 2024, and I’m proud to report that several of them have earned their PMI certifications. The second cohort commenced in July 2025 with a significant number of our staff members onboarded and certified.
“In partnership with our PMO office, we also established the Project Management Community of Practice, which meets monthly to discuss project challenges, share best practices, and deepen understanding. Looking ahead, we plan to expand subsequent cohorts to fully utilise the 300 licenses and make project management excellence a core organisational strength, one that drives innovation, value creation, and consistent project delivery across the Group.”
On his part, George Asamani, PMI Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the broader significance of the refinery within the African context and PMI’s ongoing partnership with Dangote Industries.
“Being here today and experiencing this is phenomenal. Partnering with Dangote to witness and support this achievement will be a great opportunity. Beyond that, we’re also looking at what’s next, especially in areas like Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, and construction management,” Asamani said.
He added that the PMI has invested significantly in AI tools and certifications tailored for project professionals, noting that the PMI Infinity platform and the new PMI-CP (Construction Professional) certification could further strengthen collaboration with Dangote’s Community of Practice.
The Head of Community for Sub-Saharan Africa at PMI, Adeola Akande, hailed the refinery as a symbol of visionary leadership, excellence in execution, and Nigeria’s growing project management capability. She also commended the Dangote Group for its consistent support toward advancing project management standards across Africa.
“The Dangote Refinery represents the best of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure and demonstrates how effective project management can transform not just organizations but the entire economies.”, she noted.
In his presentation titled “Community of Practice: The Journey So Far at Dangote Industries Limited”, Shehu Adekanye, an executive member of Dangote Group Community of Practice (CoP) and Group Head of Procurement, DIL shared the transformative strides the group has made in embedding project management as a strategic capability across the organization.
He said on recognizing the need for a structured response, the Dangote Community of Practice was formally launched in June 2025 with a clear mission: to evolve project management from an individual skillset into an organizational asset.
The formation of the CoP, according to him, underscored Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in project management — positioning the company not just as a business powerhouse, but as a model for organizational transformation.
Adekanye reflected on the early challenges that prompted the formation of the CoP, some of which he listed to include a lack of standardized templates and processes, fragmented knowledge sharing, limited networking among project professionals, and missed opportunities to adopt global best practices and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
He expressed happiness that the results so far have been impressive noting that membership grew from just seven in March to 32 by September 2025, with 67 staff members enrolled in PMP training across various functions and embedded global best practices tailored to Dangote’s operational needs. “We’ve created a platform for continuous learning and innovation. Our work is already influencing how projects are conceived, executed, and evaluated across the business.”, Adekanye noted
In closing his presentation, Adekanye made a passionate appeal to the leadership of the PMI, seeking formal accreditation for the Dangote CoP to award Professional Development Units (PDUs) for its activities.
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He also called for greater inclusion in PMI events across Nigeria and Africa and requested access to specialized training and webinars to further empower the group. “We believe that with PMI’s support, we can scale up our impact and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of project management across Africa,” he said.
The visit of the PMI top brass underscores the refinery’s significance not only as an industrial milestone but also as a global case study in successful project management, innovation, and impact.
Photo Caption:
Chief of Staff to the Global President/CEO, Project management Institute (PMI) Lenka Pincot; Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited Devakumar Edwin ;Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Dangote Industries Ltd., Nglan Niat;Managing Director, Sub – Sahara Africa, Project management Institute (PMI) George Asamani; during the visit of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Global Board members to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant Lekki Lagos
Business
IPO: ADF Opens Wealth Creation Pathway for 2m Vulnerable Nigerian Women
The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has unveiled the Women’s Share Subscription Grant Initiative (WSSGI), a pioneering financial inclusion programme aimed at increasing women’s participation in Nigeria’s capital market through the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).
The nationwide initiative is designed to support up to two million Nigerian women, with a special focus on low- and middle-income earners, as well as vulnerable women. Through the programme, ADF seeks to expand access to equity ownership, promote a culture of savings and long-term investing, and empower women with greater opportunities for wealth creation through responsible participation in the capital market.
The initiative is open to several categories of beneficiaries, including independent applicants earning ₦100,000 or less per month, verified participants in designated ADF programmes such as CRoWN, ADFIN, and Mu Shuka Iri, eligible non-commissioned servicewomen and service spouses, as well as verified service widows.
To accommodate different categories of participants, the initiative provides two pathways for entry: Matching Grant Track: Eligible independent applicants who subscribe to a minimum of 10 shares will receive an ADF-funded application for an additional 10 shares in their name.
Unconditional Grant Track
The ADF will fund an application for 20 shares on behalf of eligible beneficiaries who satisfy programme eligibility, investor identification, and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
This category covers verified beneficiaries from designated ADF programmes and verified service widows.
Under both tracks, grant funds will be applied directly through the designated issuing house. No cash payments will be made to beneficiaries, government agencies, or sponsors. Any shares successfully allotted will be credited solely to the beneficiary and held in her name.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be Nigerian women aged 18 years and above; resident in Nigeria; meet the eligibility requirements of their respective participation category; successfully complete all required identity verification and KYC processes; and receive no more than one ADF share grant across all Foundation share grant schemes.
The ADF is implementing the initiative in partnership with Vetiva Capital Management and the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-approved IPO subscription infrastructure.
The Foundation will not receive, collect, or hold applicants’ or sponsors’ subscription funds. All applications, payments, allotments, and refunds will be handled in accordance with the IPO Prospectus, applicable regulatory requirements, and the approved basis of allotment.
Participation in the programme is entirely voluntary. Prospective investors should note that share prices may fluctuate, dividends are only payable when declared, and neither allotment nor investment returns are guaranteed.
To facilitate broad participation, applicants are not required to have an existing Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account. Where necessary, accounts will be created through Vetiva upon successful completion of the IPO’s KYC requirements.
Eligible independent applicants may submit their applications exclusively through the official ADF portal at ipo.alikodangotefoundation.org.
READ ALSO: 40 Oil Blocks up for Grabs as NUPRC Opens 2026 Bid Round
Beneficiaries affiliated with the ADF programmes and verified service widows will receive application guidance through approved Foundation channels.
The offer closes on 13 October 2026.
The ADF urges prospective participants to remain vigilant against fraud. Applicants should not make payments to agents, individuals, or personal bank accounts in exchange for grants or promises of guaranteed allotment. Passwords, PINs, and one-time passwords (OTPs) should never be shared, and any unexpected payment request or online link should be verified through official channels before action is taken.
Through this initiative, the ADF is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive economic empowerment, broadening access to investment opportunities, and enabling more Nigerian women to participate meaningfully in the nation’s wealth creation journey.
Business
NUPRC Outlines Major Offshore Investment Pipelines
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has unveiled a pipeline of major offshore projects with the potential to attract significant new investment into Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector.
This is as the commission has intensified efforts to convert the country’s substantial hydrocarbon resources into producing assets and sustainable economic value, the NUPRC said in a statement.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s upstream investment outlook was presented at the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026 in New York by the Commission Chief Executive (CCE), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.
Eyesan, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration, Dr. Kelechi Ofoegbu, highlighted the emerging investment opportunities across Nigeria’s offshore, gas and brownfield assets, noting that the combination of regulatory reforms, improved project economics and a growing pipeline of development-ready assets is creating new opportunities for investors and industry partners.
READ ALSO: NCDMB, Zeconia Global Train 50 on Digital Oilfield Operations
A key feature of the presentation, it said, was the identification of 22 major offshore projects, comprising 12 deepwater and 10 shallow-water developments, as part of the pipeline capable of driving substantial new capital into the sector.
According to the commission, the projects include major developments such as Bonga Southwest, Aparo, Zaba Zaba, Owowo, Bosi and Egina South.
The NUPRC also highlighted recent capital commitments across projects including Bonga North, Obeta Gas Development, HIN Associated Gas Development and Iseni Gas Development, demonstrating the movement of investment interest towards actual project development.
Business
Petrol, Diesel Prices Rise 86% in Eight Months – Report
The average prices of petrol and diesel have risen by 86 percent in 2026, with the two products reaching their highest average price levels for the year by September 22, according to the latest fuel price trend report by priceandpromo.
The report stated that the average price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,378 per litre by September 22, while automotive gas oil, commonly known as diesel, increased to N1,899/litre.
It puts the increase in the price of petrol at 80.8 percent from the January 13 base, while diesel recorded a 91.8 percent rise over the same period. The average increase of the two products is 86.3 percent, which rounds to 86 percent.
The report stated, “The latest priceandpromo fuel price trend shows renewed upward movement following the relative stability observed between April and July.
“Petrol rose to an average of N1,378 per litre by 22 September, while diesel increased to an average N1,899 per litre, the highest average price levels recorded for both products in the displayed 2026 series.”
READ ALSO: NNPC Ltd Celebrates Second Year of Zero Voluntary Resignations
According to the report, petrol prices had increased sharply in March before remaining relatively stable at elevated levels between April and July. “After the sharp March increase, fuel prices stabilised at higher levels through July before rising again in August and September,” it added.
The renewed increase came amid heightened volatility in the international energy market, according to the report, which noted that the domestic market remained exposed to movements in global energy costs.
“The renewed increase comes amid heightened global energy-market volatility, highlighting the domestic market’s continued exposure to shifts in international energy costs,” the report added.
The report indicated that the latest movement in fuel prices could have wider implications for transportation, logistics and the cost of distributing goods, given the importance of petrol and diesel to economic activities.
The report noted that fuel prices remained an important channel through which changes in energy costs could feed into transportation and other consumer costs.
The report further warned that the renewed increase in both products is a development to monitor because of its potential implications for the movement of people and goods.
It said, “The renewed increase in both petrol and diesel is therefore an important market signal to watch, particularly for its potential implications for mobility, logistics costs and the wider cost of moving goods through the market.”
The report’s figures show that the increase in diesel prices has outpaced that of petrol, with AGO rising by 91.8 percent compared with PMS’s 80.8 percent increase.
Courtesy – The PUNCH






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