For decades, Nigerians have waited for a refinery that does not just refine fuel, but commands global respect. That moment appears closer to reality as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, described the Dangote Refinery as a “world-class facility” after touring the massive complex.
Ojulari made the remarks on Saturday following an inspection of key sections of the refinery, including its master control room. Hosted by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, the NNPCL boss said seeing the facility firsthand changed perceptions and reinforced confidence in its operational strength.
“Nothing Like Seeing It Yourself”
Addressing journalists after the tour, Ojulari urged Nigerians to appreciate what he described as bold leadership behind the project. “Nigerians, we should be grateful for the leadership and the inspiration of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group for the audacity to embark on such a huge project,” he said.
He noted that physical inspection of the plant offered clarity on its sophistication. “There’s nothing like being here physically to actually see things for yourself. What we are seeing here is what I call the frontline of world-class technology,” Ojulari added, highlighting the refinery’s advanced digital, artificial intelligence and mechanical systems.
Drawing from his engineering background, he explained that earlier concerns about the refinery’s single-train configuration were resolved after observing its architecture and built-in redundancies. According to him, despite being a single train, the plant demonstrates remarkably high availability and strong performance indicators.
Expansion Plans Underway
Beyond performance, Ojulari revealed that discussions during the visit covered plans to expand the refinery’s capacity through replication of existing infrastructure. “The expansion of the plant is in hand, which means that we will double the capacity… leveraging common facilities,” he disclosed, noting that such replication would come at a lower capital expenditure.
He further stated that the refinery has been tested to and even above its installed capacity, describing the live operational parameters as impressive. “Every Nigerian should be proud that such an edifice is actually in Nigeria,” he said.
As a shareholder in the project, NNPCL reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration, expressing optimism that the refinery will significantly reshape Nigeria’s energy landscape, reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic refining capacity.