Dangote Refinery has saved Nigeria more than ₦10 billion annually in foreign exchange by replacing imported fuel with locally refined products, the Senior General Manager of Corporate Communications at Dangote Industries Ltd., Sunday Esan, revealed on Thursday.
Speaking during the 2025 Media Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, themed “Unlocking Opportunities for Businesses in a Challenging Economy: The Role of the Media / Roadmaps to Energy Security in Nigeria,” Esan described the refinery as more than a national landmark. He said it is boosting GDP, creating jobs, strengthening the energy supply, and positioning Nigeria as a regional energy hub.
The refinery, operational for nearly two years, has sharply reduced the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products, cutting fuel importation by 1.54 per cent in the first quarter of 2025. While Nigeria spent $2.6 billion on fuel imports in Q1 2024, imports fell to $1.2 billion in Q1 2025.
Esan noted that the refinery currently produces 650,000 barrels per day, but plans are underway to scale output to 1.4 million barrels per day. Its products, including jet fuel, are attracting growing interest from international buyers, such as Saudi Aramco and US firms.
The refinery spans an area roughly seven times the size of Victoria Island, Lagos, requiring at least five hours to tour by car. Its operations, including the acquisition of 4,000 CNG trucks for product distribution, have created at least 24,000 jobs, illustrating the scale of Aliko Dangote’s investment.
On the media’s role in energy security, Esan urged journalists to report accurately on developments at the refinery, emphasizing that informed coverage protects this national asset.
NUJ Lagos Chairman Adeleye Ajayi praised the lecture as an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s energy challenges, while Press Week Committee Chairman Wale Akodu highlighted how local production has helped prevent fuel scarcity and panic buying, ensuring stability in the sector.
