Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has lauded the commencement of production at the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians and Africans.
The refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, received its first shipment of 1 million barrels of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on Saturday.
Otedola, in a post on his X handle, on Sunday, praised Dangote’s vision and leadership in bringing the project to fruition.
He noted that the refinery will have significant positive impacts on Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Dangote Refinery is a $20 billion project that is considered the 8th Wonder of the World. It comprises the world’s largest single-train 650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refinery, a 1 million metric tonnes of Polypropylene per-annum facility, and two of the world’s largest Fertilizer Trains – with a capacity of producing 3 Million Tonnes of Urea.
The refinery will create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for Nigerians, contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction. It will produce Euro 5 fuel, which will improve air quality and reduce respiratory diseases caused by the use of low-quality fuels in Africa.
The refinery will capture up to 90%+ of the CO2 emitted and also play a significant role in reducing well-to-tank carbon emissions from crude oil maritime transportation. This will help Nigeria meet its target for net-zero emissions by 2060.
Otedola congratulated Dangote and described him as “one of Africa’s finest and most dogged patriots.”
He expressed hope that the refinery will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa.
He wrote, “I heartily congratulate my bestie, Aliko Dangote, as the 8th Wonder of the World – the $20 Billion (Twenty Billion Dollars) Dangote Group Refinery – officially commences production. The Dangote Petrochemical Complex, which consists of the world’s largest single-train 650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refinery, a 1 million metric tonnes of Polypropylene per-annum facility, and two of the world’s largest Fertilizer Trains – with a capacity of producing 3 Million Tonnes of Urea – is much more than just an industrial milestone; it’s a testament to the visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence of one of Africa’s finest and most dogged patriots.
“I had a front-row seat as this vision was conceptualised and took shape. And I am familiar with the sleepless nights you’ve had to work through over the last decade to bring this dream to fruition.
“This refinery is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians and Africans. It is also at the vanguard of championing environmental sustainability. With its Carbon capture technologies and storage processes it will capture up to 90%+ of the CO2 emitted and also play a significant role in reducing Well-to-tank carbon emissions from crude oil maritime transportation, thereby playing its own role in helping Nigeria meet its target for net-zero emissions by 2060.
“The Refinery recircles 100% of its water. The heat coming out of the process is fully captured to produce 50MW of Power. Dangote is also producing Euro 5 to replace the bad Euro 5 that has been dumped in Africa for a long time.”
“Shipping 65,000 barrels per day of crude out of Nigeria and 650kbpd in refined products to Nigeria and nearby countries which is 480 ships of 1m barrels per day will save 1.5m to 2.5m tons of CO2 emissions. This will help the environment.”
“By meeting our requirements for all refined petroleum products, it will champion energy security and independence for our nation and act as a catalyst for a new era of prosperity for the subcontinent. It promises economic transformation for Nigerians today and for generations to come.”
“Congratulations, Aliko Dangote, Africa is proud of you.”
