Dangote Petroleum Refinery has exported two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, a leading integrated oil and gas company in the world.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed this on Tuesday during a visit by a delegation of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to both Dangote Fertiliser Limited and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote said exporting products to the global markets, including Saudi Arabia is a recognition of the world-class products being produced by the refinery.
“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco,” he said.
Dangote refinery began production in 2024, and currently process more than 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The NESG Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, commended Aliko Dangote for establishing the $20 billion refinery, which is the largest single-train refinery in the world.
Yusuf said Nigeria needs more investments of this calibre to reach its goal of driving a $1 trillion economy.
“To achieve a $1 trillion economy, much of that must come from domestic investments. I joked during the bus ride that while others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country.
This refinery, the fertiliser plant, petrochemical complex, and supporting infrastructure are monumental,” he said.
“My hope is that God grants you the strength, courage, and health to realise your ambition and that in your lifetime, a new Nigeria will emerge.”
Yusuf emphasised that such local industries are essential to Nigeria’s industrialisation and will help foster the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He said that the NESG would continue to advocate for an improved investment climate to attract entrepreneurs, boost development, ensure food security, and address insecurity.
He lamented that Nigeria has become a dumping ground for foreign products, and stressed the need for the country to support its entrepreneurs to become a global players.
“It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, is still dependent on imports to feed its citizens.”
Yusuf also praised Dangote’s bold vision of making Nigeria self-sufficient in several key sectors.
“The NESG is grateful, and I believe the nation is as well. This refinery represents the audacity of courage. It takes immense effort to do what you’ve done and still be standing and smiling. Thank you for inspiring us and showing that nothing is impossible. You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter,” he said.
“We’ve all read Think Big, but this is truly about thinking big. The message is clear: the private sector can bring about real change.”
Yusuf, alongside NESG board members and stakeholders, toured the refinery and fertiliser plants, lauding the level of investment, technology, and sophistication of young Nigerian engineers running the world-class laboratories and central control units.
He acknowledged Dangote’s perseverance and success in overcoming numerous challenges.
Dangote, in his response, reiterated the importance of the private sector in national development, asserting that Nigeria’s challenges could largely be overcome by providing gainful employment to its people.
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