The Dangote Refinery has announced the sale of two cargoes of aviation fuel to Saudi Aramco, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, revealed this development during a visit by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group to the Dangote Fertiliser Limited and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, on Tuesday.
He stated that the refinery recently reached a major milestone by successfully exporting two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer and a leading integrated oil and gas company.
Dangote emphasized that the refinery is steadily achieving its ambitious targets as it continues to increase production.
“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco,” he said, adding that since its production began in 2024, the refinery has steadily increased its output, now reaching 550,000 barrels per day.
In his remarks, the NESG Chairman, Mr Niyi Yusuf, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, commended Dangote for establishing the $20 billion refinery and emphasized that Nigeria requires more investments of this magnitude to reach its $1 trillion economy goal.
He urged the Federal Government was encouraged to support local industries to foster economic growth and help Nigeria achieve its $1 trillion economy target.
“To achieve a $1tn economy, much of that must come from domestic investments. I joked during the bus ride that while others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country.
“This refinery, fertiliser plant, petrochemical complex, and supporting infrastructure are monumental. I hope that God grants you the strength, courage, and health to realise your ambitions and that in your lifetime, a new Nigeria will emerge,” Yusuf prayed.
He stressed that local industries are crucial to Nigeria’s industrialization and will play a key role in fostering the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Yusuf also mentioned that the NESG would keep advocating for a better investment climate to attract entrepreneurs, promote development, ensure food security, and tackle insecurity.
He expressed concern that Nigeria has become a dumping ground for foreign products and emphasized the need for the country to support its entrepreneurs in order to help them become global players.
“It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, is still dependent on imports to feed its citizens,” he stated.
Yusuf praised Dangote’s vision for helping Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in several key sectors.
“The NESG is grateful, and I believe the nation is as well. This refinery represents the audacity of courage. It takes immense effort to do what you’ve done and still be standing and smiling. Thank you for inspiring us and showing that nothing is impossible.
“You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter. We’ve all read Think Big, but this is truly about thinking big. The message is clear: the private sector has the ability to bring about real change,” he stated.
Yusuf, along with NESG board members and stakeholders, toured the refinery and fertiliser plants, praising the significant investment, advanced technology, and the expertise of young Nigerian engineers managing world-class laboratories and central control units.
He also recognized Dangote’s perseverance and success in overcoming various challenges.
