Nigeria’s energy security and industrial development could witness a major transformation as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited deepens collaboration with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, according to the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
Speaking during a weekend visit by NNPC leadership to the 650,000-barrels-per-day refinery and Dangote Fertilisers complex in Lagos, Ojulari described the facility as a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s industrial capacity and vision.
He noted that both NNPC and the Dangote Group possess enormous scale, financial strength, and technical capability, adding that their combined efforts could redefine the country’s energy landscape.
According to him, the partnership has the potential to strengthen national energy security, accelerate industrialisation, and create sustainable value across the entire oil and gas chain — from upstream production to downstream refining, gas, and power.
Ojulari stressed that while NNPC is committed to collaborating with the private sector, such partnerships will remain guided by discipline, efficiency, and high operational standards.
He also praised the refinery’s performance, revealing that it had surpassed its designed processing capacity.
“The plant was designed for 650,000 barrels per day, but what we witnessed live was about 661,000 barrels. These are real operational figures,” he said.
Responding, President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said stronger strategic cooperation with NNPC could become a cornerstone for Africa’s next phase of industrial transformation.
He explained that the partnership aligns with the refinery’s original vision, emphasizing that collaboration would not only strengthen Nigeria’s economy but also reshape energy markets across the continent.
Dangote disclosed that NNPC currently holds a 7.25 percent equity stake in the refinery on behalf of Nigerians and expressed confidence that expanded cooperation would unlock greater economic value.
He further described the complex as more than a refinery, calling it a full industrial hub with opportunities in petrochemicals, fertiliser production, and downstream manufacturing.
According to him, future growth in refining lies heavily in petrochemicals, which generate higher value than fuel production alone.
Dangote revealed plans for a major expansion project, including a 400,000-metric-tonne Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) facility — expected to surpass existing production capacity across Africa.
He added that both organisations would soon identify priority areas for collaboration and move toward structured implementation.
Dangote also emphasized that Nigeria stands to gain significantly by processing its raw materials locally rather than exporting them, noting that investments in petrochemicals, fertilisers, and base oils would strengthen foreign exchange earnings and deepen the country’s industrial base.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the proposed partnership signals a major shift toward private-public collaboration aimed at securing Nigeria’s energy future and driving long-term economic growth.
