By ABC News Nigeria
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Dangote Group for its contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, describing its investments in critical sectors as an important driver of industrial development, job creation and local production.
Tinubu gave the commendation on Monday during a visit to the Dangote Group pavilion at the 32nd Nigeria Economic Summit, held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President praised the conglomerate’s performance across its business operations, noting that private-sector investments remain crucial to expanding Nigeria’s productive capacity, reducing dependence on imports and conserving foreign exchange.
He stressed that sustained collaboration between the government and private investors was necessary to accelerate economic development and create productive employment opportunities for Nigerians.
The Dangote Group has investments spanning cement manufacturing, fertiliser production, sugar refining, salt processing and petroleum refining, with operations supporting domestic supply chains and value addition across several sectors.
The conglomerate is also a major employer of labour in Nigeria, ranking among the country’s largest employers outside the Federal Government.
Tinubu, who declared the 2026 Nigeria Economic Summit open, used the occasion to defend his administration’s economic reforms and underscore the importance of industrial harmony and private-sector-led growth.
“We came to rewrite the story of a nation that has performed below its potentials for far too long,” the President said, adding that “there is no shortcut for economic development.”
The summit, themed “Growth That Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity,” brought together policymakers, business leaders, investors and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for boosting productivity, generating employment and ensuring that economic growth benefits more Nigerians.
A major highlight of the Dangote Group’s investments is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lagos, which is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
The refinery, alongside the group’s other industrial investments, forms part of broader efforts to expand local manufacturing, improve supply chains and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce goods previously sourced from abroad.
The President’s remarks highlighted his administration’s position that private investment is central to economic expansion, particularly in sectors capable of creating jobs, supporting agriculture and manufacturing, and improving the country’s industrial competitiveness.
As Nigeria continues to pursue economic reforms, the summit provided a platform for government officials and private-sector operators to examine practical measures for translating investment and economic growth into improved livelihoods for citizens.
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