By:Abdullahi Inuwa
At the bustling Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, where the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Annual Products Exhibition is underway, the spotlight has shifted from the colorful stalls to a single subject: the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The refinery, barely two years into operations, is already being hailed as the lifeline of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. On Tuesday, the Kano–Jigawa branch of MAN gave it perhaps the highest praise yet—describing it as the engine that is “reviving moribund companies” across the country.
Speaking at the sidelines of the exhibition, MAN branch Chairman, Muhammad Bello Isyaku Umar, said the reduction in diesel prices and the consistent supply of petroleum products have eased the burden on industries grappling with rising production costs.
“These measures are already helping dying companies come back to life,” Umar declared. “Affordable diesel is critical to the survival of many small and medium-scale industries, particularly those outside the national grid or in areas plagued by unstable electricity. Dangote Refinery has stepped in where others have failed, and the results are clear—we are seeing companies reopen, production stabilize, and jobs saved.”
For decades, Nigerian manufacturers have faced a bleak reality: unreliable power supply, high energy costs, and dependence on imported petroleum products. Diesel, which fuels much of the industrial machinery in the country, has been a constant source of distress. Price volatility, worsened by foreign exchange fluctuations and import bottlenecks, left many factories either operating at a loss or shutting down entirely.
The arrival of Dangote Refinery has altered that story. By producing and distributing locally refined diesel, the refinery has cut down the costs and uncertainties associated with imports. Manufacturers say this stability is precisely what they need to plan production, manage costs, and remain competitive both locally and internationally.
“By improving supply and easing cost pressures, the Dangote Refinery is not only supporting the survival of existing firms but also laying the foundation for industrial growth and competitiveness in the region,” Umar said.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, which has been a voice for the country’s industrialists since 1971, has had a long-running relationship with the Dangote Group. Umar noted that Dangote has been a consistent partner of the association for over five years, sponsoring exhibitions and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening local industries.
“No MAN exhibition or trade fair is complete without Dangote products,” Umar remarked, pointing to the refinery’s wide-ranging contributions to industrial growth. “Their products are affordable, qualitative, and dependable. This is why they are not just present—they dominate.”
The 2025 exhibition, themed “Made in Nigeria: Revitalizing Local Industries for Economic Growth,” reflects MAN’s push to reawaken Nigeria’s industrial potential. With Dangote Industries Limited as one of
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