The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has commended the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, characterising the sprawling industrial complex as a facility built to global standards in both scale and technology.
Ojulari made the remarks on Saturday after a guided tour of the refinery complex, where he inspected key operational units, including the master control room.
The visit was hosted by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group.
Addressing journalists at the end of the inspection, the NNPCL chief said the magnitude of the refinery and the sophistication of its operations reflect bold leadership and long-term vision.
He urged Nigerians to recognise what he described as the courage required to undertake a project of such unprecedented scale in the country’s energy landscape.
According to him, the refinery stands as proof that Nigeria can deliver infrastructure comparable to the best anywhere in the world.
Ojulari noted that being physically present at the facility offered deeper insight into its engineering complexity and technological advancement.
From digital integration systems to artificial intelligence-driven monitoring tools, he said the refinery incorporates cutting-edge innovations aligned with international best practices.
Drawing from his professional engineering background, the NNPCL boss acknowledged that there had been initial industry concerns regarding the plant’s single-train configuration.
However, he explained that observing the refinery’s architectural design and built-in redundancies addressed those reservations.
Despite operating as a single-train refinery, Ojulari said the structure demonstrates exceptionally high availability, backed by robust mechanical systems and layered safeguards designed to minimise downtime.
Ojulari expressed satisfaction with the refinery’s performance metrics, revealing that operational indicators have surpassed projections since test runs commenced.
He disclosed that the plant has been pushed to and even beyond its rated capacity during testing phases, with live operational parameters confirming strong output levels.
The development, he said, should inspire national pride, describing the refinery as a landmark achievement within Nigeria’s industrial sector.
“This is an edifice every Nigerian should be proud of,” he remarked, emphasising its strategic importance to the country’s drive for energy security and reduced reliance on imported refined products.
The visit also featured discussions on the refinery’s next growth phase. Ojulari disclosed that plans are already in motion to expand capacity by replicating core infrastructure within the complex.
According to him, the proposed expansion will effectively double output while leveraging shared utilities and common facilities.
This approach, he explained, is expected to significantly lower capital expenditure compared to building an entirely new plant from scratch.
As a shareholder in the project, the NNPCL chief reiterated the company’s commitment to collaboration and expressed optimism about the refinery’s long-term contribution to Nigeria’s energy stability and economic transformation.
The Dangote Refinery, commissioned in May 2023, remains one of the largest single-train refineries in the world and is widely regarded as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest to strengthen domestic refining capacity.
