In a landmark move signaling a new era of collaboration, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) have committed to a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape and driving industrial self-sufficiency.

During a high-level visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, the leadership of both organisations pledged to move beyond historical challenges and focus on delivering operational excellence and energy security for the nation.

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the renewed collaboration as central to the refinery’s founding vision and a critical step toward continental industrialization.

He commended the new leadership of NNPC Ltd. for its proactive approach, stating that the partnership could “revolutionise the African market.”

“This was our dream before it became a reality. The partnership between ourselves and NNPC will not only strengthen Nigeria but can anchor the next phase of Africa’s industrial transformation,” Mr Dangote said. “With the new leadership, I think the sky is the limit. We will cooperate, work together, and make Nigerians proud.”

Mr Dangote noted that NNPC Ltd. currently holds a 7.25 percent equity stake in the refinery on behalf of Nigerians.

He suggested that deepening collaboration within the existing industrial complex, rather than duplicating assets would unlock greater value for the nation.

He outlined ambitious expansion plans, revealing that the refinery was evolving into a fully integrated industrial hub.

This includes the development of a 400,000 metric tonne Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) facility, a scale expected to surpass current African production capacity. Mr Dangote emphasized that the future of refining lies in high-margin petrochemicals, which offer significantly higher value creation than fuel production alone.

“The refinery is an industrial hub, not just a refinery,” he added. “By prioritising domestic processing over exporting raw materials, we can unlock greater economic value, strengthen foreign exchange earnings, and deepen Nigeria’s industrial base.”

Speaking on behalf of NNPC Ltd., the Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, affirmed the company’s commitment to a new era of transparency and partnership, explicitly distancing the organisation from its “unproductive past.”

“The whole idea is to examine where we are, identify additional opportunities, and agree on practical next steps,” Mr Ojulari stated. “We have exciting proposals on the table, and we will consolidate them into a joint working framework for review.”

Mr Ojulari lauded the operational performance of the Dangote Refinery, noting that the facility had surpassed its design capacity. During the tour, the plant was observed operating at 661,000 barrels per day, exceeding its 650,000 barrels-per-day nameplate capacity.

“None of us ever thought it would even touch 550,000. What we saw live today was 661,000. These are live parameters, not reports or photographs. This plant is a source of national pride and an example of how global technology can help us leapfrog legacy industrial limitations,” he said.

Mr Ojulari described Dangote Group and NNPC Ltd. as “strategically significant national champions” with the collective potential to redefine Nigeria’s energy security and deepen industrialisation.

“I want to make a commitment that we mean what we are saying. We are moving away from the unproductive past,” Mr Ojulari reiterated. “Collaboration does not mean mediocrity. It means honest discussions about what will work, with one common purpose—to grow value.”

Both parties agreed to identify priority areas of collaboration in the coming weeks and move toward a structured implementation framework, solidifying a partnership poised to reshape the economic future of Nigeria and the broader African continent.