Our Refinery Ended 50 Years of Gas Queues in Nigeria – Dangote Refinery

… we’re creating jobs, not displacing anybody

…  industrialisation, not importation will develop Africa’s economic system

President/Chief Govt, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has declared that for the reason that refinery started producing petrol a yr in the past, Nigeria’s five-decade-long battle with gas queues has lastly come to an finish.

Talking at a convention to mark the primary anniversary of the launch of petrol from the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery, Dangote highlighted that Nigerians have endured persistent gas queues since 1975. Nevertheless, this challenge has been steadily resolved for the reason that refinery commenced manufacturing on third September 2024.

“We’ve got been battling gas queues since 1975, however immediately Nigerians are witnessing a brand new period,” he mentioned.

Acknowledging the quite a few challenges the refinery has confronted since its inception, Dangote emphasised the corporate’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria and Africa.

“The journey has been difficult as a result of we sought to remodel the downstream sector in Nigeria. Some believed we have been taking meals from their tables, which merely isn’t true. What now we have performed is to make our nation and continent proud. Beforehand, solely two African international locations weren’t importing petrol, however regrettably, they’ve since resumed imports. That is detrimental to Africa,” he added.

Reflecting on the challenges confronted throughout the refinery’s improvement, Dangote disclosed that the venture concerned monumental danger. He acquired repeated warnings from trade specialists, buyers, native and overseas authorities officers, who argued that solely sovereign nations undertook such large-scale refinery ventures. He admitted that had the venture failed, he would have misplaced all his belongings to lenders.

“The choice to construct the refinery was not simple. If it had gone fallacious, lenders would have taken our belongings. However we believed in Nigeria and Africa,” he mentioned.

Regardless of opposition and financial headwinds, the refinery has efficiently decreased the value of petrol from practically N1,100 earlier than manufacturing started to N841 within the Southwest, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara. With the gradual rollout of CNG-powered vans, Dangote anticipates this value discount will quickly be felt nationwide.

He famous that the refinery has enough capability to satisfy Nigeria’s home demand whereas additionally producing overseas alternate via exports.  He revealed that between June and first week of September 2025, the ability had exported over 1.1 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), underscoring its capability to satisfy home demand and contribute considerably to overseas alternate earnings.

Emphasising job creation, he acknowledged that the refinery has no intention of displacing staff however is as a substitute producing hundreds of latest employment alternatives. The deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered vans is predicted to create at the least 24,000 jobs throughout Nigeria.

“We’ve got not displaced any jobs; we’re creating many extra. The CNG vans won’t be operated by robots,” he mentioned. “Our workers earn salaries thrice the minimal wage. Our drivers obtain a residing wage, life insurance coverage, medical insurance protecting themselves, their spouses, and as much as 4 youngsters, in addition to a lifelong pension. We aren’t solely using drivers but in addition mechanics, fleet managers, and different professionals to help the CNG fleet.”

Dangote clarified that whereas the corporate respects commerce unions, membership is a private alternative for every driver.

He reaffirmed his dedication to Nigeria’s industrialisation, describing it as important for the continent’s improvement. Dangote emphasised the pressing want for Nigeria to guard its native industries and discourage the dumping of low cost overseas items, citing the collapse of the once-thriving textile sector as a cautionary instance.

He famous that Nigeria’s path to sustainable financial progress lies in industrialisation, which not solely boosts native productiveness but in addition helps a round economic system.

“Different nations weren’t industrialised by outsiders. We should construct and industrialise our personal economies. With out this, how can others make investments? That’s the reason I imagine the Nationwide Meeting ought to enact laws to help the Federal Authorities’s ‘Nigeria First’ coverage. My purpose is to see Africa prosper, as now we have the fastest-growing inhabitants on the earth. Counting on imports means exporting jobs and importing poverty. Many people with higher monetary sources than myself need to make investments, however the challenges we face discourage them. Quite a few sectors are nonetheless in pressing want of industrialisation,” he mentioned

He reiterated that with the introduction of CNG vans, the refinery can ship merchandise to shoppers wherever in Nigeria, mitigating all related dangers.

Dangote reiterated that the refinery stays open to partnerships and collaborations with different stakeholders within the downstream sector, stressing that the trade stands to realize extra via collective effort and cooperation.

He additionally clarified that the refinery has no plans to enter the retail market, noting that he declined alternatives to accumulate filling stations once they have been provided on the market.

Wanting forward, Dangote introduced that the refinery’s capability can be expanded to 700,000 barrels per day in its second yr of operation, with the goal of additional supporting financial progress and job creation.

“Nigeria has now change into the refining hub of Africa. We’re set to change into the most important exporter of polypropylene and are aiming to make Nigeria the world’s main producer of fertiliser. These initiatives will generate substantial overseas alternate, create employment, and stimulate progress in different sectors,” he mentioned.

“We’re totally dedicated to supporting the federal government in including worth, creating jobs, and constructing a stronger economic system.”

He additionally expressed his gratitude to the Federal Authorities, the refinery’s companions, devoted workforce, and the Nigerian public for his or her continued help. Particularly, he counseled the Unbiased Petroleum Entrepreneurs Affiliation of Nigeria (IPMAN) for encouraging its members to register for the free distribution initiative utilising CNG-powered vans.

Dangote additionally used the event to showcase among the CNG-powered vans at the moment loading petrol from the refinery, emphasising that the corporate will efficiently deploy all 4,000 vans throughout the nation quickly. He allayed any fears of potential assaults on the drivers or the vans, stressing that Nigeria is a rustic ruled by the rule of regulation and that safety companies are totally empowered to guard its residents and infrastructure.