Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has addressed critics who doubted the viability of the Dangote Refinery, affirming its success and commending Aliko Dangote for delivering on the ambitious project. The minister’s remarks came during his visit to the refinery, where petrol loading operations officially began.

Responding to skepticism surrounding the refinery’s capacity to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) locally, Edun stated, “They say it couldn’t be done, they say he couldn’t do it, that we couldn’t produce PMS in this refinery.” His comments were directed at naysayers who had questioned the feasibility of the project and the refinery’s potential to transform Nigeria’s energy landscape.

The Dangote Refinery, the largest of its kind in Africa, has successfully commenced petrol loading, marking a historic moment in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency. Mr. Edun praised Dangote’s perseverance and vision in bringing the refinery to fruition despite the challenges.

“Today, we are seeing a dream realized—a key step toward energy independence in Nigeria. I congratulate Aliko Dangote for this incredible achievement, which will undoubtedly play a critical role in reshaping the Nigerian economy,” Edun added.

The refinery’s success is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, stabilize local fuel prices, and enhance the country’s economic stability. The commencement of petrol production and distribution from the refinery is a major leap forward in Nigeria’s long-standing goal of achieving self-sufficiency in fuel production.

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has been widely lauded for his contributions to the industrialization of Nigeria, and the success of the refinery stands as one of his most remarkable accomplishments. 

The refinery is set to become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s energy sector, creating jobs, boosting local production, and fostering economic growth.