Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has extended an invitation to Nigerians to become part of his oil refining legacy. In a recent statement, Dangote declared that “every Nigerian can own a piece” of his multibillion-dollar refinery project—one of the largest in the world.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, located in Lagos, began operations in 2023 and has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Designed to reduce Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported fuel, the refinery is seen as a major step toward national energy independence and industrial growth.
While Dangote didn’t specify how Nigerians can take part in ownership, his message has sparked hope of possible public investment opportunities, equity sharing, or broader involvement in the refinery’s operations and supply chain. His call aligns with his long-standing vision of empowering Africans to benefit directly from the continent’s resources.
The refinery has already started supplying diesel and aviation fuel to the local market. However, challenges remain—including high logistics costs and competition with imported fuel. Despite this, Dangote remains optimistic and continues to push for policies that support local production and encourage national participation.
This announcement signals more than economic opportunity—it represents a chance for ordinary Nigerians to be stakeholders in one of the continent’s most ambitious industrial projects. As Dangote leads the charge for local value creation, many now watch closely for the next steps that could turn his promise into reality.