The Federal Government’s Technical Committee on the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for the Naira-for-Crude initiative has praised the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, describing it as a landmark symbol of Nigeria’s industrial resurgence and economic transformation.
In a statement released Thursday by the Dangote Group, the OSS Technical Committee’s Coordinator, Mrs. Maureen Ogbonna, expressed admiration for the scale and impact of the refinery during a tour of the facility on Tuesday. She said the Aliko Dangote-owned complex—recognized as the world’s largest single-train refinery—is significantly advancing Nigeria’s economic independence and contributing to multiple sectors across the country.
“This refinery touches all our lives,” Ogbonna remarked. “From pharmaceuticals to construction, food to plastics—there’s hardly any sector it doesn’t impact. This project is transformational and signals the beginning of an industrial revolution in Nigeria. God has used the President of the Dangote Group to liberate this country.”
She reiterated the committee’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s goal of achieving full domestic sufficiency in petroleum products and positioning Nigeria as a major global exporter. According to Ogbonna, the committee is working to remove regulatory, operational, and logistical barriers hindering the seamless supply of crude oil and refined products in local currency.
Having visited the refinery previously during its construction phase, Ogbonna said she was astonished by the progress made. She singled out the refinery’s laboratory as a standout feature. “That lab is an institution on its own. I don’t know of any other facility in Nigeria, or even globally, that matches its sophistication in petrochemical testing,” she said.
She also urged Dangote to stay the course in the face of criticism, stating, “This project is not just a personal milestone—it’s a global achievement. He [Dangote] was never self-serving. His vision extends far beyond Africa, and despite challenges, he remained focused on Nigeria’s future.”
Responding, Aliko Dangote thanked the committee for its support of the Naira-for-Crude policy, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction. He noted that the policy has contributed to lower fuel prices, stabilized the naira, and eased pressure on the U.S. dollar.
However, Dangote expressed concern over the inadequate supply of domestic crude, revealing that the refinery has had to increasingly rely on crude oil imports from the United States to maintain operations. He emphasized the need for bold investments in strategic sectors, highlighting the extensive infrastructure required to complete the refinery—including world-class marine facilities capable of hosting the largest ships in the world.
“We are committed to Nigeria’s development,” Dangote assured the delegation.
The refinery, designed to process various grades of crude—from African and Middle Eastern types to U.S. Light Tight Oil—has the capacity to fully meet Nigeria’s domestic demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel, while also generating surplus for export.
