Dangote Credits Tinubu as Brain Behind Landmark Refinery Project

Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has credited President Bola Tinubu as the visionary behind the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, describing the project as the fruit of policies initiated during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

Dangote made the remarks on Thursday during President Tinubu’s visit to the multi-billion-dollar complex located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. The visit included the commissioning of a concrete road and other infrastructure within the facility.

“It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Your Excellency on your visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex and to commission this concrete road and other roads which you graciously approved,” Dangote said. “I must emphasise that the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex is in many ways your brainchild.”

He noted that the Lekki Free Trade Zone — the site of the industrial complex — was established under Tinubu’s administration as governor, adding that the president was now witnessing “the tangible fruits of that vision.”

Describing Tinubu as a “visionary leader,” Africa’s richest man hinted at greater things to come: “I can tell you for a fact that what you have seen today is nothing. We have just started.”

Dangote also praised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, especially the recently introduced Naira-for-Crude Policy, which he described as a bold step towards economic recovery and national sovereignty. He further lauded the Nigeria First Policy, aimed at curbing dependency on foreign goods and services by prioritising local production and investment.

“These policies are critical in repositioning our economy, encouraging indigenous innovation, and asserting our economic independence,” Dangote said.

The Dangote Refinery, which is expected to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel demand and export refined products, is regarded as one of Africa’s most ambitious industrial projects to date.