By Peter Salami
The Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has confirmed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced its long-anticipated expansion programme, a move that will more than double its capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd, making it the largest refinery in the world.
Speaking at the refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, Dangote said the expansion represents a bold statement of confidence in Nigeria’s industrial future and in Africa’s capacity to compete globally. His confirmation follows a KTH Daily report of October 23, 2025, which first detailed the company’s plan to scale up production and list part of the refinery on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
“This expansion is about confidence in Nigeria, in Africa, and in our capacity to shape our own energy future,” Dangote said. “It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of making Nigeria a major global supplier of refined petroleum products.”
Dangote praised the Federal Government for creating an enabling environment for industrial growth, citing recent policy reforms such as the Nigeria First Policy, the Naira-for-Crude Initiative, and the One-Stop Shop framework, which he said have restored investor confidence and revitalised the downstream sector.
He explained that the ongoing expansion will significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, conserve foreign exchange, and strengthen the country’s energy security. “Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,” he said.
During the construction phase, an estimated 65,000 workers will be engaged, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities across multiple sectors. The project will also boost local industries, expand value chains, and enhance skills transfer in engineering, petrochemicals, and logistics.
As part of the upgrade, the refinery’s polypropylene output will increase from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum, while production of linear alkylbenzene, a key raw material in detergents, and other petrochemical derivatives such as base oils will be expanded.
The facility is also being upgraded from Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the world’s most stringent environmental and emission benchmarks. Dangote disclosed that additional power generation units are being installed to ensure full energy self-sufficiency and operational reliability.
Reaffirming his company’s commitment to local participation, Dangote said over 85 percent of the refinery’s workforce will continue to be Nigerian, supported by robust investments in skills development, technology transfer, and environmental sustainability.
“Our investments go beyond infrastructure; they are investments in people, in knowledge, and in Nigeria’s future,” he said. “We want to ensure that this project continues to empower Nigerians long after it is completed.”
Looking ahead, Dangote announced plans to list 10 percent of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange within the next year. He said the listing would deepen transparency, widen public participation, and allow Nigerians to own a part of what he described as “Africa’s most transformative industrial asset.”
He also extended an invitation to financiers, crude suppliers, and strategic partners to collaborate with the company as it evolves into the continent’s leading integrated energy and petrochemical hub.
Dangote assured Nigerians of stable petrol supply throughout the festive season, saying the refinery was fully prepared to prevent shortages and price hikes despite volatility in the global oil market.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining an uninterrupted supply of petrol throughout the festive period,” he said. “For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety.”
Dangote expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Federal and Lagos State governments, financial partners, the Lekki host community, and the refinery’s workforce for their steadfast support. He urged other refinery license holders to expedite their projects to complement Nigeria’s refining capacity.
“When Africa builds its own capacity, it builds its own destiny,” Dangote declared.
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