On a momentous occasion that marked a significant milestone for Nigeria and the entire African continent, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the Dangote Refinery project. Situated in the sprawling Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria, this monumental venture is set to revolutionise the region’s oil industry. With a staggering capacity to refine 650,000 barrels per day (BPD), the Dangote Refinery is not only poised to become Africa’s largest oil refinery but also the world’s largest single-train facility. This visionary project, spearheaded by Nigerian business tycoon Aliko Dangote, holds immense promise for Nigeria’s economy and energy sector.
At a time when Nigeria, as Africa’s largest oil producer, heavily relies on imported refined petroleum products to meet domestic demand, the Dangote Refinery brings a glimmer of hope. With its massive processing capacity, the refinery will significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imports and alleviate the perennial fuel scarcity issues faced by its populace. By harnessing the abundant crude oil resources available in the region, Nigeria aims to achieve self-sufficiency in meeting its energy needs, thereby fostering economic growth and stability. The Dangote Refinery’s grandeur lies not only in its capacity but also in its state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge technology.
It is poised to be a game-changer not only for Nigeria but also for the entire African continent. By spearheading this ambitious venture, Aliko Dangote has demonstrated the potential for African entrepreneurs to drive transformative change and create opportunities for sustainable development. With Africa’s growing energy demands and vast oil resources, the Dangote Refinery sets a precedent for future mega-projects, spurring economic growth, job creation, and energy self-sufficiency across the continent.
10 FACTS ABOUT THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED DANGOTE REFINERY
- It is the world’s largest single-train, 650,00 barrel-per-day refinery with a 900 KTPA polypropylene plant.
- The newly commissioned Dangote refinery is located in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State and sits on approximately 2,635 hectares of land (seven times the size of Victoria Island).
- The refinery is one of Nigeria’s single largest investments. It cost about $1.9 billion to build. Construction started in 2016 and was completed in 2023.
- It has a 435-megawatt power station, which can meet the total power requirement of the Ibadan District of 860,316 MWh, covering five states, including Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Kwara. It also has a deep seaport and a fertiliser unit.
- The refinery is set to produce Euro-V-quality gasoline and diesel, as well as jet fuel and polypropylene. At full capacity, it will meet 100 percent of the Nigerian requirement for all refined products and still have a surplus for export.
- Also built at the refinery is the world’s largest granite quarry to supply coarse aggregate, stone column material, stone base, stone dust, and material for breakwater (10 million metric tonnes per year of production capacity).
- The refinery has a self-sufficient marine facility with the ability for freight optimisation. It is the largest single order of 5 SPMs anywhere in the world.
- It complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and DPR emission and effluent norms.
- Temporary housing units on the refinery premises can house 33,000 people comfortably.
- The Dangote Refinery Plant is a legacy project that will earn Nigeria $21 billion annually.
