LAGOS, Nigeria (XOL Africa) — Nigeria’s federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting indigenous investors in the petroleum sector, describing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a model for industrial transformation, job creation and retaining economic value within the country.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri made the remarks during a working visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.
Lokpobiri was accompanied by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources Patience Oyekunle and other government officials.
The visit provided an opportunity to assess the progress of one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous industrial investments and its contribution to the country’s economic development, Lokpobiri said.
“The visit provided a valuable opportunity to assess the remarkable progress being made by one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous industrial investments and to appreciate its contribution to national economic development,” he said.
Lokpobiri said the government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for local investors whose projects can expand industrial capacity and generate employment.
“The Federal Government remains committed to encouraging and supporting capable local operators whose investments create jobs, strengthen industrial capacity, and retain greater value within the country,” he said.
The minister praised the refinery’s development as an example of what large-scale domestic investment can achieve.
“Dangote is demonstrating that this vision is achievable by delivering world-class infrastructure with significant economic impact,” Lokpobiri said.
He urged other Nigerian investors to pursue similar large-scale industrial projects that can strengthen local manufacturing and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
“As we acknowledge this milestone, we also encourage other indigenous investors to pursue similar transformative projects that will deepen Nigeria’s industrial base, enhance self-sufficiency, and accelerate sustainable economic growth,” he said.
The Dangote refinery, located in Lagos, is designed to process crude oil and produce petroleum products for the domestic and international markets. Its development has been positioned by Nigerian authorities as a major step toward strengthening domestic refining capacity and reducing reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
