FG Reaffirms Support for Dangote Refinery, Hails Facility as Pillar of Nigeria's Energy Security

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, describing the facility as a national asset and one of Nigeria's most transformative industrial investments capable of strengthening energy security and accelerating economic growth.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, gave the assurance  on Monday during a visit to the refinery in Lekki, Lagos, alongside the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the leadership of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Ekpo said the government would continue to provide the policy and regulatory support required to maximise the refinery's contribution to Nigeria's energy security, industrialisation, job creation and economic development.

The minister described the facility as compelling evidence of the capacity of indigenous enterprise to deliver world-class infrastructure.

"What we have come to see today is an eye-opener. A Nigerian has taken us to this level. Whether in terms of employment or providing for the needs of the nation, this is something we should all be proud of," Ekpo said.

He assured the management of the refinery of sustained collaboration from policymakers and regulators, stressing that the Federal Government would continue to create an enabling environment for investments that advance national development.

Also speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Senator Magnus Abe, described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as one of the most remarkable industrial achievements ever undertaken in Nigeria.

"I don't think any of us fully appreciates what has been achieved here by Nigerians in Nigeria. We are all very proud of this accomplishment," Abe said.

The delegation was taken on a tour of the facility by the Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, who commended the ministers and NUPRC officials for proceeding with the visit despite heavy rainfall.

Edwin explained that the refinery was conceived as part of the vision of the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, to ensure that Nigeria adds value to its abundant natural resources instead of exporting raw materials and importing finished products.

He said the company's Vision 2030 is focused on driving Africa's industrial transformation by building globally competitive businesses that make the continent more self-sufficient while creating jobs, generating value and promoting sustainable economic growth.

According to Edwin, the refinery was designed not only to be Africa's largest but also one of the world's most environmentally advanced refining complexes.

He noted that the facility incorporates technologies that comply with stringent European Union and United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) environmental standards, including ambient air quality monitoring stations, mobile environmental monitoring systems and advanced emissions control technologies.

"Our objective has never been simply to build the largest refinery in Africa. It has always been to build one of the world's best, producing cleaner fuels that improve public health, protect the environment and position Nigeria as a leading global refining and manufacturing hub," Edwin said.

Meanwhile, the visit came as reports emerged that Nigeria has approved an enhanced production-linked tax credit for Shell Plc's $20 billion Bonga Southwest Aparo deepwater project, a move aimed at accelerating investment in the country's upstream oil sector and boosting crude oil production.