Dangote Petroleum Refinery
National President of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Igali, has urged the Nigerian government to prioritize and safeguard landmark investments like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which he described as a strategic asset essential to Nigeria’s—and Africa’s—industrial future.
Amb. Igali made these remarks while praising Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote for his insightful interview on AIT’s Focus Nigeria.
He highlighted the refinery’s scale and impact, saying the $20 billion project deserves special national protection.
> “The Dangote Refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset. The magnitude of jobs it creates, the technological advancement it represents, and the pivot it offers from a raw material export economy to a value-added industrial one, are of immense national importance,” Amb. Igali explained.
He went on to stress the importance of Africa’s ability to manage and add value to its resources locally.
> “Africa can only remain relevant on the global stage to the extent that we protect, process, and add value to our natural resources within our shores. Allowing the Dangote Refinery to thrive is a definitive step in that direction.”
Calling for decisive government action, Amb. Igali urged that domestic refiners like Dangote be given priority access to crude oil supplies over exports.
> “It is counter-intuitive and economically disadvantageous to continue exporting our crude oil while a refinery of such capacity, which can meet our domestic fuel needs and produce for the international market, is starved of its primary raw material. We must give concessions and ensure that Nigerian crude is made available to Nigerian refineries as a matter of national priority,” he stated.
He concluded by framing this approach as crucial for the continent’s industrial rise.
> “This is the only pathway for Nigeria and Africa to stand industrially, build resilient economies, and gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Protecting investors like Dangote is synonymous with protecting our national economic destiny.”
