The Federal Government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as a key driver of Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy, pledging stronger collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.

The Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, stated this after leading a high-level delegation on a tour of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Dangote Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.

Enoh described the integrated industrial complex as one of Africa’s most significant industrial investments and a model for the type of large-scale manufacturing needed to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said the visit underscored the critical role of manufacturing in implementing the Nigeria Industrial Policy unveiled earlier this year, which targets increasing manufacturing’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.

“The more a country adds value to its products, the more respect it earns globally. The Dangote Refinery stands today as one of the strongest demonstrations of that principle,” Enoh said.

According to the minister, the refinery has reshaped global perceptions of Nigeria by helping the country transition from a major importer of refined petroleum products to an exporter serving international markets.

“When global supply disruptions occurred, Nigeria was able to export petroleum products to markets in the Middle East and beyond. That is an extraordinary achievement and one that deserves recognition,” he said.

Enoh also dismissed concerns over the refinery’s single-train configuration, noting that operations continued uninterrupted even during scheduled maintenance.

He said the ministry, alongside its agencies, would continue to champion policies that support the refinery and Nigeria’s wider industrialisation agenda.

The minister added that the Federal Government would continue engaging Dangote Industries Limited through the Industrial Revolution Work Group and ministerial roundtables to address challenges confronting manufacturers, particularly access to affordable long-term financing.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, urged the government to make industrialisation the centrepiece of its economic strategy.

“There is no way to create jobs and prosperity without industrialisation. The greatest attraction for foreign investors is the success of domestic investors,” Dangote said.

He disclosed that Dangote Industries recently raised an unsecured and unrated bond at interest rates below Nigeria’s sovereign benchmark, describing it as evidence of growing investor confidence in credible Nigerian private-sector institutions.

“If Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth and become a trillion-dollar economy, industrialisation must be the foundation. Indigenous investors remain the strongest catalysts for that transformation,” he said.